The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs square off at historic Wrigley Field on April 26, 2025, in a matchup where both teams have a great deal at stake even in the early going of the season, with the Phillies desperately seeking to halt a damaging five-game losing skid and the Cubs looking to build on a strong start that has them near the top of the NL Central. The Cubs enter this contest with a 17–10 record, fueled by consistent home-field performances and timely contributions from a well-rounded lineup, while the Phillies sit at 13–13 and are quickly realizing that their offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses cannot continue if they intend to keep pace in the tough NL East. Philadelphia sends left-hander Jesús Luzardo to the mound, who has been one of the few bright spots for the club with a 2–0 record and a stellar 2.08 ERA, showcasing dominant strikeout ability and excellent poise even when the lineup behind him struggles to provide run support. The Cubs counter with right-hander Ben Brown, sporting a 2–1 record and a 4.57 ERA, who has been steady if not spectacular but has benefited from strong defensive support and opportunistic hitting from his teammates. Offensively, the Phillies are built around the power bats of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, who have the ability to change a game with one swing but have not been able to consistently manufacture runs during this losing streak, too often relying on the long ball while struggling in situational hitting.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have gotten steady production from Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, who continue to set the tone for a Cubs offense that has been more adept at stringing together innings and moving runners station-to-station, a style that plays well at Wrigley where big innings can turn games quickly. Defensively, the Cubs have tightened up after some early-season concerns, while Philadelphia’s defense has been a liability, with untimely errors leading to extended innings and additional pressure on their pitching staff. The bullpens could play a pivotal role late, with Chicago’s relief corps showing better recent form compared to a Phillies bullpen that has struggled to protect slim leads. Betting trends favor the Cubs, who have covered the spread in six of their last eight meetings against the Phillies, and given the recent form of both clubs, Chicago’s momentum, combined with their home-field advantage, makes them a tough out. For the Phillies, getting early production against Brown is critical; allowing Luzardo to pitch with a lead would maximize his effectiveness and give Philadelphia the best chance to end their losing streak. For the Cubs, the formula remains the same: steady at-bats, crisp defense, and opportunistic scoring to back up Brown and hand the ball off to a bullpen that has been locking things down effectively. With the standings beginning to take shape and every series carrying weight even in late April, Saturday’s game promises intensity, urgency, and a clear opportunity for one team to seize much-needed momentum heading into the heart of the season.