Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview, Tuesday 9/24, 5:40 CT

The Cubs look to even up their series with the Phillies.

Today’s roster move: Here

Tuesday notes…

• THE NUMBER OF THE COUNTING SHALL BE FOUR: Last night’s 6-2 loss was the Cubs’ seventh of the season by exactly four runs. They have won 12 games by four runs. They have won 26 games by at least five while losing only 16 by at least five. But they are 42-54 in games decided by three or fewer runs: 6-14 by three, 14-12 by two and 22-28 by one. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• NOT ROAD WARRIORS: Monday’s loss clinched a losing season on the road for the Cubs, who are 38-41. The last winning season for the Cubs away from Wrigley Field (in a 162-game season) was 2018.
• NEVER TOO LATE TO START HITTING: Isaac Paredes, last 13 games since Sept. 8: .356/.429/.400 (16-for-45) with two doubles, nine RBI, six runs scored and eight walks.
• LOTS OF ARMS: Monday, Caleb Kilian and Gavin Hollowell became the 32nd and 33rd pitchers used by the Cubs this year (not counting position player Patrick Wisdom, who faced three batters in the 17-0 loss to the Red Sox April 27).

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Phillies lineup:

Justin Steele, LHP vs. Tanner Banks, LHP

Justin Steele was limited to 57 pitches in his last start after returning from the injured list, so for this one, his final outing of 2023, he’ll probably also be somewhat pitch-limited.

He has not faced the Phillies this year. Overall, even though Steele’s numbers are pretty good and in line with what he did in 2023, this year has to be a disappointment for him, since he was on the IL twice and will make only 24 starts, compared to 30 last year.

Here’s to a better 2025.

The Phillies acquired Tanner Banks from the White Sox at the trade deadline for a minor league prospect.

He faced the Cubs for three batters June 4 at Wrigley Field.

The first batter was Ian Happ, who singled. Then Patrick Wisdom homered.

That was then and this is now and Banks has actually thrown reasonably well for the Phillies in 19 appearances (3.00 ERA, 1.238 WHIP). He has averaged 17 pitches per appearance in Philadelphia, so obviously he’s an opener for a bullpen game for the Phillies tonight.

Statcast

Statcast

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight. If you do go there to interact with Phillies fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2024 Game Thread procedure will be like last year’s, similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.

You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.