Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs 6/2/23

The San Diego Padres (26-30) host the Chicago Cubs (24-31) at Petco Park on Friday for the first of a four-game series. The Cubs are embarking on a 10-game road trip after closing out a nine-game homestand (4-5).

They won two out of three in their last series against the Rays, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. Seiya Suzuki was 2 for 4 with a double and one run. Trey Mancini added one RBI on one hit.

The Padres are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a nine-game road trip (5-4). They won two of three against the Marlins in their last series, taking the finale 10-1 on Thursday at loanDepot park.

Fernando Tatis Jr. went 3 for 4 with three doubles, two runs, and four RBIs. Gary Sanchez added a home run, two runs, and three RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Cubs have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including a 5-2 victory in their most recent meeting on April 27 at Wrigley Field. Starter Hayden Wesneski went five innings, allowing one run on four hits, to get the win, and Brad Boxberger picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Jameson Taillon (0-3, 8.10 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The right-hander allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, an 8-5 road defeat against the Reds on Saturday. He scattered six hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision.

For San Diego, right-hander Michael Wacha (5-1, 3.58 ERA) takes the mound. He has made one prior start against the Cubs this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 5-3 road win on April 26.

He gave up four hits and walked one, while striking out five in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, Wacha took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four, in the 3-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Chicago offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .254/.333/.412. Suzuki leads the team in OPS at .872. The left fielder is slashing .293/.385/.487 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, and 19 runs over 42 games.

Over the last five games, however, Chicago has averaged only 3.2 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.221/.306/.318). Against right-handed pitchers like Wacha this season, the Cubs have a .723 OPS.

Ian Happ is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .877 OPS in 148 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .220/.314/.381 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Juan Soto leads the team with a .924 OPS.

The right fielder has 10 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 32 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.424/.500. San Diego is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five.

The Padres have a .674 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.058 OPS over 124 at-bats, Soto also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 9-15 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. San Diego has gone 12-15 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are fifth in the NL Central, five games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, eight games behind the Dodgers.