The Chicago Cubs and the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies square-off in Game 2 of a four-game weekend series this Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting Previews – Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies Chicago has won just two games in its last 10, but comes into this series off a 4-1 victory over Cincinnati as a 124 road underdog on Wednesday night. Heading into Thursday night\u2019s Game 1 the Cubs<\/a> were 11.5 games in back of St. Louis in the NL Central with an overall record of 24-36; 12-19 at home and 12-17 on the road.<\/p>\n Putting the ball in play has not been an issue for Chicago as it is ranked second in the National League in hitting with a .269 team batting average. Getting runners across the plate as been another story as it is ranked ninth in runs scored with 245.<\/p>\n Pitching has been the major issue for the Cubs this year as they are ranked last in the NL with a 4.80 team ERA. At least they may have a fighting chance in this game with Carlos Zambrano on the mound. He is 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 13 previous starts and 4-3 against the Phillies lifetime with a 3.60 ERA.<\/p>\n Philadelphia took two out of three from the LA Dodgers earlier in the week to run its record to an NL-best 37-25, but it is just 4-6 in its last 10 games. The Phillies are 16-14 on the road this season and 21-11 at home. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Consistency throughout the lineup has been Philadelphia\u2019s primary concern this season. Ryan Howard is having a tremendous year with 48 RBI and 13 home runs, but the team is ranked eighth in the NL in total runs scored with 246.<\/p>\n Staff \u2018ace\u2019 Roy Halladay<\/a> will get the start in Friday\u2019s game. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is 8-3 in 13 starts this season with a 2.56 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07. Lifetime against Chicago, he is 0-3 with an ERA of 4.50.<\/p>\n This series will be the first meeting between the two this season, but the Cubs had a 4-2 edge in 2010 while the Phillies won the 2009 series 5-1. The total has stayed \u2018under\u2019 in four of the last seven meetings.<\/p>\n This game has the makings of a classic pitching duel, but stick with Halladay to get his first win over Chicago as the Phillies to come out of it with the win.<\/p>\n
\nDate\/Time: Friday, June 10 7:05 p.m. (ET)
\nVenue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
\nBroadcast: MLB Network
\nCubs at Phillies lines by Bodog.com
\nMoneyline: Phillies -210
\nOver\/Under: 7 (-115)<\/strong>
\nCLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —><\/strong><\/a>
\nCLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG SPORTSBOOK \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/a>
\nChat about MLB In our Baseball Handicapping Forums —><\/strong><\/p>\n