The Chicago Cubs (20-24, 3rd NL Central) are in the city of Brotherly Love on Sunday to complete a three-game series with National League rival the Philadelphia Phillies (20-24, 4th NL East). Chicago defeated Philadelphia 10-1 on Friday in the opening game of the series which snapped a five-game losing streak for the Cubs. Nico Hoerner returned from the injury list and had a pair of two-run doubles for Chicago. Philadelphia lost its fifth straight when falling to the Cubs on Friday. Philly is feast or famine as they won five straight before losing each of the last five. Chicago will play without five pitchers as well as position player Cody Bellinger. Philadelphia will play without two pitchers as well as position players Darick Hall, Rafael Marchan and Cristia n Pache.
Chicago is 10th or better in four hitting statistics. The Cubs are second in on-base percentage at .342, fourth in batting average at .267, 8th in slugging percentage with .432 and have scored the 10th most runs with 216. Patrick Wisdom has 12 home runs in 23 RBI to lead Chicago in both categories, while Cody Bellinger is second in home runs but is on the injured list and Nico Hoerner, who just came off the injured list, is tied for first in RBI with 23. Chicago has hit 75 doubles, 6 triples and 55 home runs in 44 games.
Chicago is 13th or better in four pitching statistics. The Cubs are 4th in Quality Starts with 22, fifth in WHIP at 1.22, 7th in batting average allowed at .237 and 13th in team ERA at 4.06. Marcus Stroman is leading Chicago in strikeouts with 51. Chicago's starting pitcher on Sunday, Justin St eele, is leading the Cubs in victories with six and ERA for starters at 2.44. Steele is 6-1 with an ERA of 2.44 and 47 strikeouts.