By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (62-58) will look for their third straight win and a series sweep of the Chicago Cubs (64-56) Thursday evening, as veteran southpaw Drew Smyly makes his third home start in red pinstripes. Smyly will oppose four-time All-Star RHP Yu Darvish. Phillies LF Corey Dickerson (hand) will return to the Phillies' starting lineup in the series finale, batting cleanup; he sat Wednesday after taking a pitch off his left knuckles on Tuesday, avoiding serious injury.
The Phillies offense came alive in their 11-1 win opposite their former 2008 World Series MVP LHP Cole Hamels on Wednesday. Bryce Harper (3-3, 2 HR) and J.T. Realmuto (2-4, 2B, grand slam) led the way, respectively improving their season slash lines to .253/.374/.485 and .277/.330/.471. While Hamels earned the loss, allowing eight runs through two-plus innings, Phillies current ace RHP Aaron Nola earned his 11th win of the season, yielding just one run through seven innings. 1B Logan Morrison (0-1) made his Phillies debut as a pinch-hitter.
Prior to Thursday''s finale, the Phillies transferred RHP Edubray Ramos (right shoulder) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, and claimed RHP Jared Hughes off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Hughes, 34, posted a 1.94 ERA and 1.017 WHIP spanning 72 appearances last season; in 2019, he has logged a 4.10 ERA and 1.241 WHIP over 47 appearances. Ramos will not be eligible to return until mid-September, although he could be out the rest of the season.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Chicago Cubs (64-56) | Philadelphia Phillies (62-58) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Yu Darvish | LHP | Drew Smyly | ||
| (4-6, 4.43 ERA) | (2-6, 6.96 ERA) | ||||
RHP Yu Darvish, Age: 32
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 1.96 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 18 1/3 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 23 SO, 0.982 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 7 SO, 0.938 WHIP
Darvish has surrendered only two walks, while striking out 53 batters, over his last seven starts and 41 2/3 innings. In his most recent start against the Phillies, May 20 at Wrigley Field, the right-hander allowed three runs on four hits, three walks and seven strikeouts spanning six innings and 95 pitches (no-decision).
LHP Drew Smyly, Age: 30
- Career vs. CHC: N/A
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 1-1, 3.75 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 12 SO, 0.833 WHIP
Through four starts with the Phillies, Smyly is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA, .224/.283/.412 opposing slash, and 24-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio spanning 23 2/3 innings. The six-year veteran southpaw will make his first career start against the Cubs.
Starting Lineups:
| Chicago Cubs (64-56) | Philadelphia Phillies (62-58) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Albert Almora Jr. | R | 1 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 2 | RF | Nicholas Castellanos | R | 2 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 3 | 3B | Kris Bryant | R | 3 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 4 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L | 4 | LF | Corey Dickerson | L |
| 5 | SS | Javier Baez | R | 5 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 6 | 2B | David Bote | R | 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 7 | LF | Kyle Schwarber | L | 7 | 3B | Scott Kingery | R |
| 8 | C | Victor Caratini | S | 8 | CF | Adam Haseley | L |
| 9 | P | Yu Darvish | R | 9 | P | Drew Smyly | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: 1210 WPHT
Game Notes:
- Around the League:
- New York Mets (RHP Marcus Stroman, 6-11, 3.20 ERA) at Atlanta Braves (RHP Julio Teheran, 7-7, 3.35 ERA), 7:20 p.m.
- Brewers & Nationals: Off-day
- In 10 career plate appearances against Darvish, Dickerson is 4-for-10 with a double, solo home run, and two strikeouts (.400/.400/.800).
What's Next:
- Friday, August 16, 2019: vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Chris Paddack (7-5, 3.26 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (4-7, 4.30 ERA)
- TV: NBC 10; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
