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Cubs vs. Phillies Betting Overview

The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies will play the first of a three game series Monday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. This game features the top team in the National League, against one of the worst teams in all of baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies come into this game with a record of 59-35, which is 3.5 games better than the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East. The Chicago Cubs are 38-58; fifth place in the National League Central, and 13 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. This will be the final series between these two teams this season.

Chicago Cubs News and Betting Tips for Monday, July 18, 2011

The Cubs are coming into the series after losing three out of four games at home to the Florida Marlins. On Saturday, Carlos Zambrano was roughed up, and then Sunday Kerry Wood out of the bullpen gave up the lead and the game. The Cubs are one of the worst pitching teams in all of baseball. Chicago’s team ERA is 4.67, and they have the least amount of quality starts, in 30. Chicago’s offense has been decent, as they are batting .261 as a team. Starlin Castro is the Cubs leading hitter ; at .303, while Carlos Pena, in his first season as a Cub has 19 homeruns. Chicago will send Rodrigo Lopez to the mound in this one. Lopez is 1-2 since joining the Cubs, with a 4.02 earned run average. Two starts ago, Lopez shut-out the Sox through seven innings, picking up a win.

Philadelphia Phillies News and Betting Tips for Monday, July 18, 2011

For Philadelphia, Cliff Lee will take the hill. Lee, who went through a stretch of being unhittable has come back to earth a bit lately. Lee lost on July 3rd, and picked up a no decision on July 9th. On the season, Lee is 9-6 with an earned run average of 2.82. In his career, the left hander is 11-67, with a 3.67 earned run average. Philadelphia will turn to slugger Ryan Howard, along with Jimmy Rollins to lead the way. Howard has 18 homeruns and 73 runs batted in. The Phillies are without out fielder Shane Victorino and infielder Placido Polanco; both on the disabled list.

Our Phillies vs. Cubs Pick and Predictions

This game on paper appears to be a major blow-out in favor of the best team in the National League. The Cubs are thankful that Houston is playing horrible, to save them from the bottom of the NL. But, Rodrigo Lopez has had some decent outings, and the Philadelphia offense hasn’t been known as unstoppable as of late. In saying that, Cliff Lee is just way too good to lose a game like this. The Phillies scratch across a couple of runs and come away with a win. We are betting the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

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