Cubs vs. Phillies prediction and odds for Saturday, May 20 (Aaron Nola has advantage)

The Philadelphia Phillies were blown out in their series opener against the Chicago Cubs, losing 10-1 on Friday night. 

They’ll look to bounce back on Saturday with Aaron Nola (3-3, 4.53 ERA) on the mound against Cubs righty Jameson Taillon (0-2, 6.66 ERA). 

Nola hasn’t pitched as well as many Phillies fans would like this season, but he does have a Fielding Independent Pitching of 4.09, showing he could be due for some positive regression. 

Here are the odds and a best bet for Game 2 of the Phillies-Cubs series this weekend: 

Cubs vs. Phillies odds, run line and total

Cubs vs. Phillies prediction and pick

Taillon, like Nola, could be due for some positive regression soon with a FIP of 3.75 so far this season. 

However, he’s really struggled to give the Cubs any kind of length, going no more than five innings in every start and fewer than five innings in four of his six outings. 

That’s concerning since Chicago is 22nd in MLB in bullpen ERA this season, and the fact that Taillon has allowed at least three runs in all but one start despite not pitching deep into games. 

Nola is going to pitch deep into contests, the question is how effective will he be? 

The Phillies’ ace has been victim to the long ball seven times in nine starts, but he’s allowed just 50 hits in 55.2 innings pitched. 

I trust Nola to get the Phils a much-needed bounce back win on Saturday. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.