Cubs vs. Pirates with Matthew Boyd on the mound, the Phillies take on the Blue Jays, and the Nationals' Mackenzie Gore will get a start.

After taking two of three from the Cubs, capped by a resurgent start from Jesús Luzardo and a much-needed power surge, the Phillies welcome in one of

SportsLine's proven model has simulated the Chicago vs. Philadelphia 10,000 times and released its MLB best bets

When will Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh return to the Phillies' lineup as they wrap up a three-game series vs. Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies are back at Citizens Bank Park early Friday looking to salvage a series win and right the ship in the finale against the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago evened the series up 1-1 yesterday with an 8-4 victory to send Philadelphia back into the loss column. The Phillies have lost 10 of the last 12 games, 6 of the past 7 and three straight when Luzardo pitches. The Cubs are 2-3 in the previous five games.

A projected close matchup pits the Phillies (-119 on the moneyline) against the Cubs (-101). The matchup on the mound for this contest is set with the Philadelphia Phillies looking to Mick Abel (1-0), and Colin Rea (4-2) taking the ball for the Chicago Cubs.

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Philadelphia is 20-13 in home games and 38-29 overall. Phillies hitters are batting a collective .253, the eighth-best team batting average in MLB play.