The struggling San Diego Padres will try to avoid losing their fifth consecutive game when they play host to the Chicago Cubs at PETCO Park. The game gets underway 4:10 p.m. ET and WGN will televise this NL matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Odds
Chicago (-165) is coming into this one as the favorite over San Diego (+155) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 8 runs. The odds for betting on the games total stand at +105 for the under and -125 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the runline odds standing at -115 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and -105 for the Padres +1.5 runs.
The Cubs are 54-38 SU and are 46-45 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.4 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Padres, on the other hand, are 40-58 SU and 46-51 ATS. The teams lost 7.2 units for moneyline bettors and 21.3 units ATS. San Diego has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Padres games have a 43-51-3 over/under record so far in 2018. Chicago has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 41-49-1.
Jon Lester is getting the start for the visiting Cubs. The southpaw Lester (11-2, 2.45 ERA) has recorded 81 strikeouts in 106.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Padres this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 3.00 ERA and seven strikeouts over six innings).
The Padres will turn to Eric Lauer (5-5, 4.40 ERA), who’s got 64 punchouts and 31 walks as well as a 1.64 WHIP. Lauer did not pitch in the majors in 2017.
San Diego’s pitching staff has given up 4.7 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The clubs starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.71, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 3.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.5 K/9.
The San Diego offense has put up 3.7 runs per outing, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .231/.293/.391 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.
First baseman Eric Hosmer and outfielder Jose Pirela have led the Padres hitters this year. Hosmer is hitting .247/.316/.397 with 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 40 runs scored, while Pirela is hitting .258 with three homers, 27 RBIs and 45 runs.
For the visiting squad, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 3.10, along with a K-per-9 of 9.18.
Cubs hitters have slashed .265/.347/.427 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.9 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Albert Almora Jr. who’ve collectively belted 23 home runs. Baez is slashing .293/.328/.571 with 19 home runs, 71 RBIs, 60 runs and 18 steals, while Almora Jr. (.319/.357/.438) has produced four homers, 28 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
The Padres have lost 8.1 units and are 10-20 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under against lefty starters.
Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in three of San Diego’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
- San Diego has posted 19.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.2 over its last five.
- The Padres have lost five of their last six games SU.
