Cubs and Phillies open 3-game series in Philadelphia

Both teams looking to bounce back after recent losses

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the upcoming series between the Cubs and Phillies, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the matchup.Philadelphia Today

The Chicago Cubs (7-8) and Philadelphia Phillies (7-8) will open a three-game series on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies have lost four of their last five games, while the Cubs avoided a sweep by the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7-6 win on Sunday. Javier Assad is scheduled to start for the Cubs against the Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between NL Central and NL East teams could have implications for the playoff race later in the year. Both the Cubs and Phillies are looking to turn things around after slow starts to the season.

The details

The game will be broadcast nationally on FS1, as well as regionally on NBCSP+ and Marquee Sports Network. Fans can also stream the game on ESPN+ and MLB.TV. The Phillies are favored at -1.5 on the spread and -185 on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

  • The game is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT.

The players

Javier Assad

The Cubs' starting pitcher, who has a 1-0 record and 0.00 ERA through his first start of the season.

Cristopher Sánchez

The Phillies' starting pitcher, who is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 23 strikeouts so far this year.

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What they’re saying

“We need to come out strong and get back on track against a tough Cubs team. Every game is important at this point in the season.”

— Bryce Harper, Phillies Outfielder

“The guys are feeling good after that win yesterday. We're ready to go out and compete against the Phillies and try to build some momentum.”

— David Ross, Cubs Manager

What’s next

The series will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET both nights.

The takeaway

This early-season series between the Cubs and Phillies could set the tone for both teams as they look to climb the standings in their respective divisions. A strong series win for either side would provide a much-needed boost heading into the next few weeks of the season.