Chicago Cubs look to continue dominance over the Philadelphia Phillies

The Chicago Cubs open a four-game series up against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. They hope to continue the recent dominance–including a three-game sweep last year–as they Cubs look to start of May on a positive note.

It’s wasn’t a stupendous April for the Chicago Cubs. But they played well enough to sit atop the NL Central as they look to May. Hoping to put the poor first-inning performances of the starters behind them they’ll look to Brett Anderson to turn their fortunes. The Philadelphia Phillies have been a surprise, well behind the Washington Nationals, but keeping pace with the rest of the NL East. They’ll look to Vince Velasquez to end their losing streak and road woes.

The Cubs (13-11) had been buoyed by their bullpen in recent weeks, but it finally let them down on Sunday. Koji Uehara and Pedro Strop allowed four runs in the Cubs 6-2 loss to the Red Sox. The key tonight will be for Anderson (2-0, 3.54) to get off to a strong–and clean–start in the first inning. If he can keep the Phillies (11-12) off the board early, the Cubs should have a good chance in this game.

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As good as the Cubs have been coming back late in games, the Phillies have been just as bad at holding leads. They have an 8.83 ERA in the ninth inning, with four pitchers blowing ninth0inning leads. The Cubs hope not to need that as the offense tries to get back on track at Wrigley Field tonight.

Kyle Schwarber will return to the outfield to play left after being the DH in Boston. Javier Baez also returns to the lineup as he tries to rectify some of his issues at the plate. And Jon Jay will get a chance to start as Joe Maddon hopes he can keep swinging a hot bat to start the year (.375/.478/.965).

Here are the lineups for tonight’s series opener against the Phillies:

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. CSN-C+ will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast, as usual. Be sure to check back during the game for more Cubs’ news and analysis!