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A cubist interpretation of the key matchup between the Phillies’ powerful right-handed bats and the Cubs’ sinker-heavy starter Javier Assad.Chicago Today
The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs, both sitting at 7-8 on the young season, meet up at Wrigley Field on Monday night. Dan Johnson sees a clear edge for the Phillies’ right-handed-heavy lineup against Cubs lefty Cristopher Sánchez, and he’s backing Philadelphia to jump out to an early lead in the first five innings.
Why it matters
This NL matchup pits two teams looking to gain traction in the early going. The Phillies have leaned into their right-handed power, while the Cubs have struggled mightily against left-handed pitching. The outcome of this game could provide valuable insight into the trajectories of these two clubs as the season progresses.
The details
The Phillies’ lineup, led by the likes of Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner, has thrived against right-handed pitching, slashing .242/.322/.410 with 13 home runs and a .731 OPS. In contrast, the Cubs have been anemic against lefties, hitting just .203/.309/.333 with only three homers. This stark split aligns perfectly with the starting pitching matchup, as Cubs righty Javier Assad faces off against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez. While Assad has been impressive in a small sample, the Phillies’ right-handed-heavy attack should be well-equipped to take advantage of his sinker-heavy approach. Sánchez, on the other hand, has shown some concerning underlying metrics, including a 50.0% hard-hit rate and 16.7% barrel rate allowed.
The game will be played on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.
The players
Javier Assad
A right-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who has a 0.00 ERA and 0.53 WHIP in 5.2 innings so far this season.
Cristopher Sánchez
A left-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who has a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 innings, but has allowed a 50.0% hard-hit rate and 16.7% barrel rate.
Kyle Schwarber
An outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who is slashing .442/.442/1.129 against right-handed pitching with 4 home runs.
Bryce Harper
A first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies who is hitting .286/.390/.600 against right-handed pitching.
Trea Turner
A shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies who is hitting .326 against right-handed pitching.
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What they’re saying
“The Phillies’ boppers have indeed come alive.”
— Dan Johnson, Author
“Chicago’s answers are thinner against a lefty.”
— Dan Johnson, Author
What’s next
If Nico Hoerner can get on base and force Sánchez into longer innings, the Cubs have a chance to keep this game close. But the Phillies’ right-handed-heavy lineup should be able to jump on Assad early and build an early lead.
The takeaway
This game sets up as a classic split-driven matchup, with the Phillies’ powerful right-handed bats primed to take advantage of the Cubs’ struggles against left-handed pitching. Backing the Phillies to get off to a fast start in the first five innings looks like the best bet.