The Chicago Cubs (12-9), one of the top offenses in MLB, are set to host the San Diego Padres (12-12) at Wrigley Field on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series.
The Padres are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Diamondbacks, taking the finale 7-5 on Sunday at Chase Field. Matt Carpenter was 3 for 3 with a home run and two doubles.
He drove in five runs. Jake Cronenworth added a triple and a double. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. The Cubs are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Dodgers in their last series, dropping the finale 7-3 on Sunday at Wrigley Field.
Yan Gomes went 2 for 4 with a solo home run.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Padres won five of the seven games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a four-game set at Wrigley Field in June.
ON THE MOUND
Blake Snell (0-3, 6.92 ERA) is set to take the mound for San Diego. The southpaw allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, an 8-1 road defeat against the Braves on April 18. He took the loss, giving up three hits while striking out five and walking three.
Southpaw Justin Steele (3-0, 1.44 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago. Steele made one start against the Padres in 2022, throwing seven innings in a 4-1 home defeat on June 13. He gave up six hits while striking out three in the no-decision.
In his last start on Wednesday, Steele got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on four hits, striking out five and walking two in the 12-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The San Diego offense is averaging 3.8 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .216/.301/.378. Xander Bogaerts leads the team in OPS at .963. The left fielder is slashing .330/.417/.545 with five home runs, 12 RBIs, and 17 runs over 24 games. Against southpaws like Steele this season, the Padres have a .705 OPS.
Trent Grisham is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .899 OPS in 23 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .280/.349/.448 for the season and averaging 5.8 runs per game, third best in the league. Four Cubs hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Patrick Wisdom (.989).
The shortstop has nine home runs, 18 RBIs, and 17 runs scored with a slash line of .256/.310/.679. Chicago is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five with a stronger slugging percentage (.488). The Cubs have ann .807 OPS against left-handers in 2023, fifth highest in MLB. With a 1.071 OPS over 28 at-bats, Wisdom also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 7-4 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Chicago has gone 6-7 at home this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Wrigley Field, each club has won five, though San Diego has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.2-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are third in the NL West, zero games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, three games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
