John Lackey and the Chicago Cubs look to punctuate a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a win later today. The Phillies, meanwhile, will have the inconsistent but skilled Vince Velasquez on the mound. Read on for a breakdown of this game. Also check out our preview of Rockies vs. Dodgers.
The Cubs must be happy to have John Lackey on their pitching rotation. The 13-year veteran
John Lackey is on cruise control right now and he’ll be looking to improve on his 6-2 record and 2.88 ERA when he goes up against Philadelphia for the second time this season later today.
Lackey last faced the Phillies on May 29, when he yielded just an earned run on four hits across seven frames of a 7-2 home victory. Lackey was even better in his next start, holding Arizona scoreless for 6.2 innings while allowing just five hits in a 6-0 win on June 3. Lackey steps on the mound later with a career record of 4-4 and 2.89 ERA in eight starts against Philadelphia.
Chicago’s hitters, meanwhile, must be excited at another opportunity to bombard Phillies starter Vince Velasquez. The Cubs tattooed their bats with nine hits and seven runs against Velasquez in the aforementioned June 3 meeting with Philly.
The Cubs are 4-2 in Lackey’s last six starts overall.
Betting on the Philadelphia Phillies
As mentioned, it was a nightmare for Vince Velasquez the last time he pitched against the Cubs. He’ll try to have a more positive outing later today as he makes his second start of the month.
Velasquez (5-2, 3.67 ERA) had a better performance in his last start, though. Against Milwaukee on June 3, Velasquez allowed two runs on four hits while recording six K’s, albeit in just 4.1 innings of action. One problem for the right-hander is his struggle to pitch beyond the middle innings. He hasn’t pitched past five innings in each of his last four starts. With that said, the bullpen has to be ready to go in early against the hard-hitting Cubs. Philadelphia’s relievers have a collective ERA of 3.85 and 4.38 FIP thus far this season.
The current Philadelphia lineup has a career batting average of .276 against Chicago’s Lackey. Peter Bourjos is 3-for-6 opposite Lackey, while Odubel Herrera is 3-for-7 in the matchup.
The Phillies are 3-0 in the last three home starts of Velasquez, who is 3-1 with a 1.26 ERA in five starts at Citizens Bank Park thus far this season.
