Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions for Tuesday April 21 2026
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The Philadelphia Phillies travel to take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM ET with coverage available on MLB.TV. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. This matchup brings together two teams trending in completely opposite directions, making it a compelling contest as one looks to stop a slide while the other aims to continue its strong run. Be sure to check out free MLB picks before placing any wagers.
Starting Pitchers Outlook
Jesus Luzardo takes the mound for Philadelphia with a 1-3 record, carrying a 7.94 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 22.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 28 hits while striking out 30 and walking five, showing strikeout ability but also allowing consistent contact. On the other side, Shota Imanaga gets the start for Chicago with a 1-1 record, posting a strong 2.45 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP across 22.0 innings. He has allowed just 12 hits while striking out 31 and walking five, demonstrating excellent control and efficiency.
Philadelphia Searching for a Turnaround
Philadelphia enters this matchup with an 8-13 overall record and has gone 3-3 on the road this season. Their recent stretch has been difficult, as they have recently lost multiple games to Atlanta and also dropped several contests to Chicago, showing a pattern of struggles against both opponents over this period.
Offensively, Philadelphia is hitting .222 as a team with 75 runs scored and 156 hits. They have hit 22 home runs while maintaining a .302 on-base percentage and a .367 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, they carry a 4.84 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP, while opponents are hitting .275 against them.
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The most notable weakness for Philadelphia is their pitching, as the higher ERA and opponent batting average reflect difficulty in limiting opposing offenses. This has made it challenging to stay competitive, especially during their recent losing streak.
Chicago Building Momentum at Home
Chicago comes into this game with a 12-9 overall record and has been solid at home with a 7-5 mark. Their recent form has been excellent, as they have recently won multiple games against New York and Philadelphia, showing a consistent ability to generate offense and close out games.
From a statistical standpoint, Chicago is hitting .251 with 112 runs scored and 179 hits. They have hit 24 home runs while maintaining a .341 on-base percentage and a .398 slugging percentage. Their pitching has been a strength, with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .227 batting average.
The key strength for Chicago is their pitching efficiency, as the lower ERA and WHIP indicate a staff that consistently limits scoring opportunities. This has been a major factor in their recent success and strong home performance.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction
Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Pick
Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline
Chicago holds a clear advantage in this matchup due to their stronger pitching staff and recent form. Shota Imanaga’s ability to limit hits and generate strikeouts provides a solid edge on the mound, and the Cubs’ overall pitching metrics reinforce that advantage. With Philadelphia struggling both offensively and on the mound, Chicago is the more reliable side.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Total Pick
Pick: Under
I’m leaning toward the under in this matchup because Chicago’s pitching has been effective at limiting runs, and Philadelphia has struggled to generate consistent offense. While Philadelphia’s pitching has had issues, Chicago’s ability to control games should help keep the overall scoring in check.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 5 – Philadelphia Phillies 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Monday.
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