Desperate Phillies turn to their top arms for crucial series vs Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies have sunk into a brutal 1-9 stretch—so rough that manager Rob Thomson has publicly acknowledged potential lineup changes. Now, as they prepare for a series against the Chicago Cubs, they’re hoping to lean on their best arms in an effort to snap out of the slide.

Among the most notable developments is the return of Mick Abel, who’s set to make his third start with the big-league club. He looked strong in his second MLB outing, but a lack of run support from the offense prevented any momentum from building.

For the Phillies, the goal this week isn’t just to win the series—it’s to figure out what adjustments are needed to start winning consistently at home. They’ve lost five of their last seven games at Citizens Bank Park, with one of the two wins coming in a postponed game against the Braves.

Phillies’ starters vs. Cubs

Zack Wheeler takes the ball in the opener with a 2.96 ERA, though he’s coming off his toughest outing of the season—giving up six runs to the Braves, which snapped his five-game winning streak.

• Monday, Game 1: Zack Wheeler vs. Matthew Boyd
• Tuesday, Game 2: Mick Abel vs. Colin Rea
• Wednesday, Series Finale: Jesús Luzardo vs. Ben Brown

Abel, with a sharp 0.79 ERA over 11.1 innings, has allowed just one earned run and eight hits through his first two starts. The Phillies are hoping he can keep that form going in Game 2.

Mick Abel #40 of the Philadelphia Phillies, after winning his major league debut, is interviewed after the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on May 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 1-0.

The finale could be key, with Jesús Luzardo on the mound. He’s looking to rebound after back-to-back rough outings in which he gave up a combined 20 runs to the Brewers and Blue Jays. Luzardo enters the week with a 4.46 ERA.

Can the Phillies win at home again?

Home success has been elusive lately. The Phillies haven’t won a series in Philadelphia since sweeping the Pirates back in May—a stretch that once sparked a promising win streak that now feels distant.