Apr 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) enters the field before the game against the Chicago Cubs  at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 4/20/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Philadelphia Phillies Chicago Cubs
Team Records 8-13 12-9
Spread -1.5 144 +1.5 -175
Moneyline -115 -105
Total Over 7.5 (-117) Under 7.5 (-103)
Where Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
When Monday, April 20, 2026
Time 07:40 PM EDT
TV MLB.TV

In this article, we will formulate a Phillies vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Monday, April 20th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 12-9 record this season and are sitting in the fourth place of the NL Central. They have a 7-5 home record and are coming off a 2-1 home win against the Mets. Their previous three games were a 4-2 and a 12-4 home win against the Mets, and an 11-2 road win to the Phillies.

The Cubs have a .251 batting average this season, .341 OBP and .398 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 3.59 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .325 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 21. Ian Happ adds a team‑high 6 home runs.

Colin Rea (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 2-0 record, 3.63 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. The Cubs will face off against the Dodgers in the next series. 

Philadelphia Phillies Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies have a 8-13 record this season and are sitting in the fourth place of the NL East. They have a 3-3 away record and are coming off a 2-4 home loss against the Braves. Their previous three games were a 1-3 and a 0-9 home loss against the Braves, and a 2-11 home loss against the Cubs.

The Phillies have a .222 batting average this season, .302 OBP and .367 Slugging percentage. Philadelphia’s pitching staff has a 4.84 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Bryce Harper is the team’s best hitter with a .273 batting average. Kyle Schwarber leads the team in RBI with 14, also adding a team‑high 7 home runs.

Aaron Nola (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Phillies, and he has a 1-1 record, 4.03 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Philadelphia Phillies @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: April 20, 2026

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Colin Rea      Record this season: 2-0      ERA: 3.63
  • Home Record: 0-0
  • Last 5 against Phillies: 2-0

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

  • The Phillies have lost each of their last five games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
  • The Cubs have won each of their last seven games after going to extra innings.
  • The Phillies have failed to cover the run line each of their last nine games against teams that held a winning record.
  • The Cubs have covered the run line in 11 of their last 13 games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
  • The Phillies have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Phillies have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games.

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Aaron Nola      Record this season: 1-1      ERA: 4.03
  • Road Record: 1-1
  • Last 5 against Cubs: 3-0

Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win

  • The Phillies have won each of their last seven road games following a home loss.
  • The Cubs have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs against NL East opponents following a home win.
  • The Phillies have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games following a home loss.
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 home games against NL East opponents following a home win.
  • The Phillies have won the first inning in three of their last four games against the Cubs.
  • The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in nine of their last 12 games as underdogs against National League opponents.
  • The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

  • Each of the Cubs’ last six night games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Five of the Phillies’ last six road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Cubs’ last nine games as underdogs against National League opponents.
  • The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the Phillies’ last 13 games as road favorites.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

  • Ian Happ has hit a home run in four of the Cubs’ last five home games against NL East opponents.
  • Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 home games against NL East opponents.
  • Nico Hoerner ranks T7th in the league in Hits (27) this season.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

  • Kyle Schwarber has hit at least one home run in five of his last 10 appearances with the Phillies as favorites against the Cubs.
  • Aaron Nola has recorded a win in six of his last eight appearances with the Phillies as favorites against the Cubs.
  • Aaron Nola has recorded six or more strikeouts in nine of his last 10 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
  • Bryson Stott has recorded a hit in each of his last six appearances.
  • Kyle Schwarber ranks T6th in the league in Home Runs (7) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Cubs rank T3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (155).
  • The Cubs are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and on-base percentage this season.
  • The Phillies rank 30th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.275).
  • The Phillies rank 2nd in the league for walks allowed this season (59).

Phillies vs Cubs Prediction

The Cubs won their previous series against the Phillies by 2-1 wins in Philadelphia but the Phillies are 2-1 in their last three visits in Chicago.

In this Phillies vs Cubs Prediction, the Phillies are coming as -115 road favorites. Both teams are coming into this matchup in completely opposite trajectories, as the Cubs have won five straight and just swept the Mets with a combined 18-7 score. On the flip side, the Phillies are 2-8 in their last 10 games and are putting Nola on the mound, who has back-to-back games with three earned runs. Chicago has a better bullpen and the 4th-best offense in baseball and it’s a steal to get them as home dogs in this spot. Take the Cubs on the moneyline.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Chicago Cubs ML