The Phillies have lost three straight, not what the Doctor ordered for a wild card run. I am backing the Cubs on Wednesday and getting some very favorable odds. They face a very experienced and successful starter in the Phillies' Nola on Wednesday, but have taken two straight from this same team. The Cubs are surprisingly good as a home underdog this season and have a better record in September. The Phillies are struggling on the road at the moment. They are hitting just mid-pack and giving up too many runs. The bullpen has been unable to finish of late, with an elevated ERA.
The Cubs aren't hitting very well but they are getting solid pitching, both in starting and relief. Wednesday's starter, Wesneski, is young and inexperienced but he doesn't pitch like it at all. Just a few starts into his career, he pitched into the 7th and gave up 2 and 1 runs in his last two appearances, allowing a total of 8 hits.
Tuesday night's game was a pitchers' duel, broken open with a late run against the Phillies' bullpen. I expect a similar result on Wednesday. Take the Cubs on the run line at +1 1/2.