Following the 8-3 loss Tuesday night, the Phillies went below .500 again. The pitching was just all over the place, with Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 3.18 ERA) earning his first loss of the year, as he gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks, while only striking out two.
The same goes on offense. Philly only went 4-for-31 overall, as top hitters Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis, and Odubal Herrera had zero hits in their 12 combined at-bats. It was a complete opposite from the productive day they had on the season series opener with the Cubs, where the trio was 6-for-13 for three runs, three RBIs, and one homer.
Jerad Eickhoff will start next for the Phillies. Hopes aren’t high for the five-year veteran since he’s only 14-19 in his career with a so-so 3.56 ERA. He’s also coming off the worst performance of his career against the Los Angeles Dodgers last April 28th, where he had a tough time throwing his curveball, allowing five runs on just 2.3 innings.
Philadelphia is also just 1-4 in Eickhoff’s last five starts. However, note that the Cubs’ hitters are only 11-for-56 against him, with 20 strikeouts and only one homer and two walks.
Tuesday’s win was good for the Cubs. They entered having lost four of their last five, and in each of those defeats, they allowed six or more runs, highlighted by the 10 they gave up to the Phillies on Monday.
A big part of the rise was provided from an unlikely duo – Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber. Baez was a double away from a cycle and was 4-for-4 for two runs and three RBIs, while also having his second-consecutive game with a dinger. Schwarber, meanwhile, finally overcame a slump, tallying a three-run homer.
With ace Jake Arrieta (3-1, 4.66 ERA) pitching next for the defending champs, we may see the team post another W. He’s numbers are a little down this season, but he’s 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts versus the Phillies since joining the Cubs in 2014. Also, Phillies’ batters are collectively batting mediocre .208 against him (11-for-53), with 19 strikeouts and only five walks.
