Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions April 26th 2025

Jesus Luzardo Looks to Help Phillies End Losing Streak Against Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies are counting on left-hander Jesus Luzardo to deliver another strong performance as they aim to snap a five-game losing streak against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Luzardo (2-0, 2.08 ERA), who joined the Phillies from the Miami Marlins during the offseason, has quickly become a key piece of Philadelphia’s pitching staff. In his first five starts, he has showcased excellent control and command, notably throwing seven effective innings against his former team last Sunday. Luzardo allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Although the Phillies’ bullpen ultimately surrendered the lead in a 7-5, 10-inning loss, Luzardo’s outing stood out as a positive.

Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson remains cautious with Luzardo’s workload, mindful of the back injury that prematurely ended his 2024 season.

“There’s still the health issue for the player,” Thomson said. “He ended up with 88 pitches, 21 in the seventh inning. That was the most he had thrown in any inning, and he had to grind through it.”

Luzardo, for his part, focused on attacking the strike zone and inducing early contact—fundamentals that every successful starter strives to achieve.

“Staying away from the walks and trying to get early contact, which is what I think every starter wants to do,” Luzardo said. “I think we were able to achieve that.”

Historically, Luzardo has performed well against the Cubs, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.90 ERA in five career starts. Check what our MLB Expert Handicappers are saying about the game

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Phillies Face Rotation Challenges Amid Optimism

The Phillies’ pitching depth has been tested recently. Fellow left-hander Cristopher Sanchez left Tuesday’s start against the New York Mets after just two innings due to left forearm soreness. However, team officials remain optimistic that the injury isn’t serious.

“We’re going to err on the side of caution,” said Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. “The trainers are saying he’s fine, really.”

Meanwhile, Ranger Suarez, another key lefty and 2024 NL All-Star, is on the cusp of returning. Suarez pitched five innings during a rehab outing at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and is scheduled for a third rehab start on Sunday. His return would provide a crucial boost to a rotation that needs stability. Don’t miss the Handicapper Leaderboard and Ranking for 2025

Cubs Counter with Promising Arm Ben Brown

The Cubs will send right-hander Ben Brown (2-1, 4.57 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. Brown needed 100 pitches to complete four innings in his most recent outing—a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though he did not pitch deep enough to qualify for the win, Brown battled against 2023 NL All-Star Zac Gallen and took valuable lessons from the experience.

“He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Brown said. “For me, I need a piece of that, just to continue to battle through.”

Brown previously tossed six shutout innings in a dominant 16-0 win against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his potential when he’s commanding the zone. Although he has yet to face the Phillies in his career, Brown remains confident, backed by what he calls one of the “most thorough offenses in baseball.”

Outlook: Can Luzardo Lead the Turnaround?

As the Phillies seek to end their losing streak, much will rest on Luzardo’s ability to command the zone early and provide a deep, quality start. With injury concerns looming and bullpen inconsistencies apparent, a strong outing from their emerging ace is vital.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are quietly building momentum and will look to continue their strong offensive performances to back up their young starter.

All eyes will be on Wrigley Field this Saturday as two talented pitchers square off, each hoping to lead their team to a crucial win.