The San Diego Padres are paying a visit to Chicago to take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to broadcast this NL matchup and the game gets going at 8:05 p.m. ET.
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 60-44 straight up (SU) and 55-51 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t strayed too far from expectations, gaining 0.1 units for moneyline bettors and 4.2 units (ATS). The Padres have gone 42-65 SU this year and are 49-61 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 15.3 units for moneyline bettors and 31.1 units ATS.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 50-55-1 in 2018. Padres games have gone under 54 times, gone over 52 times and pushed on four occasions.
Chicago’s pitchers have given up 4.1 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.16, a WHIP of 1.40 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 3.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 5.0 runs per outing, including 3.7 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .218/.269/.359 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ hitters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Albert Almora Jr.. Baez is slashing .293/.324/.559 with 21 home runs, 77 RBIs, 65 runs and 19 steals, while Almora Jr.’s line sits at .307/.344/.421 with four homers, 30 RBIs and 50 runs.
In the other dugout, San Diego’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 5.06 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.61, along with a WHIP of 1.47.
The Padres offense has slashed .232/.297/.366 on its way to 3.7 runs scored per game this year, including 4.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
San Diego’s offense has been fueled by first baseman Eric Hosmer and shortstop Freddy Galvis. Hosmer is slashing .246/.311/.382 with 10 home runs, 42 RBIs and 44 runs scored. Galvis is hitting .240/.297/.341 with five homers, 40 RBIs and 34 runs scored.
The Padres have lost 11.2 units and are 10-23 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve hit the under against ies.
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Padres, O/U – OVER
