PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The struggling Philadelphia Phillies will try to avoid a series sweep and snap a five-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 72 degrees. The Phillies (8-14) have been outscored 36-8 during their skid and have lost seven of their last eight games. They were shut out by the Cubs 5-1 on Monday and were held scoreless again in Tuesday’s series opener. Left-hander Matthew Boyd (1-1, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for Philadelphia, seeking to provide stability for a reeling club. He’ll be opposed by Cubs right-hander Colin Rea, who has dominated the Phillies twice already this season. Rea earned wins on April 14 and April 20, allowing four total earned runs over 12 2/3 combined innings with 10 strikeouts. Chicago (13-9) has won four of its last five and leads the season series 4-1. A player to watch for Philadelphia is reliever Chase Shugart, who has been a rare bright spot. In four appearances this month, spanning 5 2/3 innings, he has allowed just one earned run. He pitched two scoreless innings in Monday’s loss. The Cubs’ offense has been potent, scoring five or more runs in six of their last ten games. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, who hit a three-run homer Monday, remains a key threat. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projection for Wednesday’s contest is a 7-2 victory for the Cubs. Following the game, the teams conclude their four-game series Thursday before Philadelphia travels to Atlanta and Chicago visits Los Angeles.