The Philadelphia Phillies (37-28) come home on Monday to begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs (40-25) at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies' road trip didn't go well. They went 1-5 and just finished by getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. They've now lost nine of their last 10 and have five losses in a row, with the sputtering offense scoring just one run in four of those losses.
The good news is that Zack Wheeler will make his return tonight. And with Bryce Harper on the IL, Phillies fans will also get their first live look at prospect Otto Kemp this series.
The Phillies trail the New York Mets by 4.5 games in the NL East. They welcome the NL Central-leading Cubs, who are 6-4 in their last 10 and have a four-game cushion in their division. The Cubbies come to town in a sour mood after dropping their weekend series to the Detroit Tigers, with a frustrating series finale on Sunday, per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.
The Phillies took two of three from the Cubs when the teams met at Wrigley in late April. They'll look to build on their 19-12 record at home, and put a dent in the Cubs' 20-14 road record.
Phillies vs. Cubs probable pitchers, June 9
- Zack Wheeler (6-2, 2.96 ERA) will open the series for the Phillies. The ace has a 0.92 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in 76 innings. He's coming off a very un-Wheeler-like start against the Atlanta Braves on May 29, when he was tagged for six runs on four hits and four walks during the last homestand.
- Matthew Boyd (5-3, 3.01 ERA) will counter for the Cubs. The 34-year-old left-hander has a 1.19 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings over 12 starts this season. Five of his last six outings have been quality starts. Boyd went a season-high 7 1/3 innings last time out against the Washington Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, June 9
- 1. SS Trea Turner
- 2. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 3. 1B Alec Bohm
- 4. RF Nick Castellanos
- 5. C J.T. Realmuto
- 6. 2B Edmundo Sosa
- 7. 3B Otto Kemp
- 8. LF Weston Wilson
- 9. CF Johan Rojas
Chicago Cubs starting lineup, June 9
- 1. LF Ian Happ
- 2. RF Kyle Tucker
- 3. DH Seiya Suzuki
- 4. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
- 5. SS Dansby Swanson
- 6. 1B Michael Busch
- 7. C Carson Kelly
- 8. 2B Nico Hoerner
- 9. 3B Matt Shaw
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 6:45 p.m. ET.
- NBCSP will have the Phillies broadcast.
- The Cubs broadcast will be on Marquee Sports Network.
How do I stream the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
How can I listen to the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
- The Phillies broadcast will be on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
- Cubs fans can tune into the game on 670 The Score and WRTO 1200.