Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs: A Statistical Deep Dive

Introduction

The Phillies and Chicago Cubs are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, with a long and storied rivalry. The two teams have met in the World Series three times, with the Cubs winning in 1908 and 1910, and the Phillies winning in 1980.

In recent years, the two teams have been on different trajectories. The Phillies have been one of the most successful teams in baseball, winning the National League East five times in the last 10 years. The Cubs, on the other hand, have struggled to reach the playoffs, making it just once in the last 10 years.

Player Stats

Here is a look at some of the key player stats for the Phillies and Cubs:

Hitting

Pitching

Key Matchups

Bryce Harper vs. Kyle Hendricks

Harper is one of the best hitters in baseball, and Hendricks is one of the best pitchers in the National League. This matchup will be a key one to watch in the series. Harper is a left-handed hitter, and Hendricks is a right-handed pitcher, so Harper will have a slight advantage in this matchup.

Zack Wheeler vs. Marcus Stroman

Wheeler is the Phillies' ace, and Stroman is the Cubs' ace. This matchup will be a battle of two of the best pitchers in baseball. Both pitchers are right-handed, so this matchup will be a bit more even than the Harper-Hendricks matchup.

X-Factors

Alec Bohm, Phillies

Bohm is a young player who has shown a lot of promise in his first two seasons in the majors. He is a good hitter and a good fielder, and he could be a key contributor for the Phillies in this series.

Ian Happ, Cubs

Happ is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. He is a good hitter and a good runner, and he could be a key player for the Cubs in this series.

Prediction

The Phillies are the better team on paper, but the Cubs have a good chance of winning this series if they can get good pitching from their starters. The Phillies' offense is very good, and they should be able to score some runs against the Cubs' pitching staff. However, the Cubs' bullpen is one of the best in baseball, and they should be able to shut down the Phillies' offense late in games.

Conclusion

The Phillies and Cubs are two of the most storied franchises in baseball, and their matchup in the National League Division Series is sure to be a memorable one. The Phillies are the better team on paper, but the Cubs have a good chance of winning the series if they can get good pitching from their starters.