The Philadelphia Phillies (92-64) open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (80-76) on Monday at Citizens Bank Park. They have a chance to finally clinch the NL East in front of home fans after a disappointing road trip and weekend in New York. The Phillies failed to get the job done against the Mets, despite sending ace Zack Wheeler to the mound on Sunday Night Baseball.
The Phillies come into their final three home games of the season after a 2-5 road trip that saw them secure their playoff spot and the tiebreaker with the Milwaukee Brewers. With their magic number for the division down to one, a win or a Mets loss on Monday will seal the deal. Their lead over the Brewers sits at 3.0 games, and they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 1.0 game for the No. 1 seed in the National League.
The Cubs, who have been eliminated from postseason contention, come into this series 5-5 in their last 10. They are coming off a series win against the Washington Nationals, taking three of four over the weekend as they play out the string on a lost season.
Phillies vs. Cubs probable pitchers, September 23
- Aaron Nola (12-8) will start for the Phillies. The righty has a 3.54 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 31 starts. With a possible two starts left and sitting at 188 1/3 innings, Nola can eclipse the 200-inning mark for the fourth time in his career this season. He has a 5.32 ERA this month but dazzled his last time out against the Brewers, striking out nine over seven innings of one-run, three-hit ball.
- Nate Pearson (2-2) will open for the Cubs. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 57 games out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays and Cubs this season. The one-time Toronto top prospect, who hasn't started a game this season, has high velocity but not always good command of this stuff.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, September 23
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. SS Trea Turner
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. 3B Alec Bohm
- 5. RF Nick Castellanos
- 6. 2B Bryson Stott
- 7. C J.T. Realmuto
- 8. LF Brandon Marsh
- 9. CF Johan Rojas
Chicago Cubs starting lineup, September 23
- 1. LF Mike Tauchman
- 2. 1B Michael Busch
- 3. DH Seiya Suzuki
- 4. RF Cody Bellinger
- 5. 3B Isaac Paredes
- 6. 2B Nico Hoerner
- 7. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
- 8. C Christian Bethancourt
- 9. SS Luis Vazquez
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 6:40 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, WRTO 1200.