10* LETHAL DESTRUCTION > 17-6 L10 DAYS (AMAZING 12-3 MLB RUN!)
(MLB) Chicago vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: -141.00 Chicago (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Phillies destroyed the Cubs last night, but I like the visitors to respond on Thursday to avoid the series sweep. Chicago hands the ball to Yu Darvish, while the home side goes with Drew Smyly.

The pitchers: Darvish (4-6, 4.43 ERA) comes in off a shaky outing vs. the Reds, allowing four runs over seven innings, but overall he's been solid of late, posing 53 K's over his last 41 2/3's innings of work.

Smyly (2-6, 6.96) is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts for the Phillies and this'll be the first time he's ever faced the Cubs in his six year career.

The pick: Note that Philadelphia's back-to-back wins to open this series are its first back-to-back victories since July 28th-30th. I like the "hungrier" team to get the job done at the end of the night.

Chicago Cubs 10* play