Philadelphia Phillies probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Chicago Cubs, April 25

The Philadelphia Phillies (13-12) visit historic Wrigley Field on Friday to begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs (16-10). Coming off a sweep in the house of horrors known as Citi Field at the hands of the division rival New York Mets, the Phillies are riding a depressing four-game losing streak.

The Phillies had an opportunity to salvage the series finale on Wednesday after taking the lead in the top of the 10th. Jordan Romano couldn't shut the door, again, leading to the Phillies' seventh blown save, the most in MLB. They begin the weekend five games behind the Mets in the NL East, while the NL Central-leading Cubs have a three-game cushion over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubbies are rolling with four wins in their last five contests and are 7-3 in their last 10. They just completed a two-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're scoring at a furious pace, with 163 runs (6.3 runs per game), by far the most in the majors. The Phillies will be forced to contend with the Cubs' offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker, who is having an early MVP-caliber season, according to Will Leitch of MLB.com.

Phillies vs. Cubs probable pitchers, April 25

Taijuan Walker (1-1, 2.29 ERA) will open the series for the Phillies. The veteran right-hander has been a pleasant surprise early this season. Outside of one horrible inning against the San Francisco Giants, Walker has been solid. He left his last start against the Miami Marlins after just four innings when his shoulder stiffened up. He held the Marlins to one run on one hit and three walks before exiting the game.

Colin Rea (0-0, 1.32 ERA) will take the ball for the Cubs. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 1.10 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings through five games (two starts) this season. He held the Arizona Diamondbacks to one run on five hits with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings his last time out.