Wednesday notes…
- MILESTONE INCOMING: A win tonight will be the Cubs’ 1,250th vs. the Phillies. The game will be the 2,401st in the rivalry, which began in 1883. The Cubs have won more games against three teams: the Pirates (1,287), Cardinals (1,281) and Braves (1,256). They have played 223 more games vs. the Pirates, 125 more vs. the Cardinals and 62 fewer vs. the Braves. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- TIME TO BREAK THIS STREAK: The Cubs have not won a series at Philadelphia since they swept three games July 22-24, 2022. In each of the past three years, they went 1-2. In the last two, they lost, won and lost. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- YOU GO, CARSON: Carson Kelly, last nine games since April 3: .414/.528/.621 (12-for-29) with three doubles, a home run, seven walks and five runs scored.
- TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Sammy Sosa’s three-run homer in the seventh broke a 1-1 tie and the Cubs went on to defeat the Pirates 5-1. It happened 25 years ago today, Sunday, April 15, 2001.
Cubs lineup:
Phillies lineup:
Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Jesús Luzardo, LHP
Shōta Imanaga was just magnificent in his last start, last Friday against the Pirates — six no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts.
His only career start vs. the Phillies happened July 3, 2024 at Wrigley Field. He allowed three runs in six innings, striking out
eight. That might work tonight (but don’t give up two home runs, as he did that day at Wrigley, to Rafael Marchán and Alec Bohm).
Jesús Luzardo has made three starts this year and been hit hard in two of them, by the Rangers and Diamondbacks. He did have a good outing vs. the Rockies, with 11 strikeouts.
I’d like to think the Cubs offense is on par with the Rangers and D-backs. But we will see.
Luzardo was tough against the Cubs last year, throwing 12 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) with 15 strikeouts.
For whatever it’s worth, Luzardo’s good outing this year came on the road and he was hit hard twice at CBP.
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Here is the weather forecast for Philadelphia.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
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