The NL East looked like it was going to be a runaway for the Mets, but the Braves have gotten red hot and are now just 2.5 back. Philadelphia is lurking too at 8.5 back, but also brings a three game win streak into the July 22nd Cubs at Phillies betting matchup.
Philadelphia has a great chance to extend their streak to four games considering the Cubs have dropped 9 of their last 10. Chicago did go into the All-Star break on a 3-2 win over the Mets, but this is a team that is 35-57 and one of the worst road teams in baseball at 17-25. The Phillies look like they have some value at -134 on Friday night, but a whopping 86% of the public agrees which is always a red flag.
Cubs About to Be Sellers?
Chicago spent some money in the offseason on the likes of Seiya Suzuki and Marcus Stroman, but it hasn’t translated to wins as the Cubs are 14.5 back in the Central as they begin the second half of the season. That gap is probably going to balloon soon, with the Cubs potentially parting ways with Willson Contreras, Ian Happ, and Patrick Wisdom among the names circling as trade options.
Chicago will be a team to fade in the second half, but what about in the July 22nd Cubs at Phillies betting matchup? The Cubs beat the Mets 3-2 on Sunday as a +126 underdog and are just +114 on Friday. Is this a trap line considering Chicago’s 17 road wins are the third fewest in baseball?
Justin Steele (3-6, 4.15 ERA) gets the ball for the Cubs in the series opener, and Chicago has lost 7 of his last 10 starts. The left-hander hasn’t pitched bad in holding opponents to 2 runs or less in 5 of his last 7, he just doesn’t get a lot of run support with the #20 scoring offense in baseball.
No Love for Phillies
The big question ahead of Friday night’s contest is why is Philadelphia priced at only -134? The Phillies went into the break on a three game win streak and are 28-14 in June and July.
Maybe oddsmakers don’t like the fact that Kyle Schwarber is 3 for his last 37 or that Nick Castellanos has struck out in 14 of his last 35 ABs. Rhys Hoskins is also hitting .176 over his last 9 games and Bryce Harper is out until late next month with a broken thumb.
There are some things to not like about Philadelphia here, but Kyle Gibson (4-3, 4.53 ERA) has at least looked solid in his last two starts. Gibson threw 7 innings of 2-hit ball vs. the Cardinals on July 9th and had 6.0 IP allowing 1 ER vs. the Marlins last time out. Both Phillies wins despite scoring a total of 3 runs.
Free July 22nd Cubs at Phillies Betting Pick
This price tag has red flag written all over it but how can you trust a Chicago team that has dropped 9 of 10? Instead Gibson and Steele have both been solid as of late while neither of these offenses are particularly hot right now.
Free Pick: Under 9
