In the second of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (5-4) and the San Diego Padres (5-4) at Wrigley Field, Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 10.38 ERA) and Tyson Ross (1-0, 3.75 ERA) get the ball. The Padres won the last game 5-4 and San Diego leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 18 and will air on FSN-SD and CSN-CHI.
In his last start, Hendricks pitched 4.1 innings, allowing five runs, striking out three and walking one in a 6-5 loss to the Rockies. Dexter Fowler (.282 ) kept up his strong start yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run and one stolen base. In his pitching opportunities against the Cubs, Ross is 1-0 with a 1.12 ERA, 14 strikeouts and three walks. Wil Myers (.333, 9 Rs, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well to start the season, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
Chicago is a small -114 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. When playing as the favorite, the Cubs have a 3-2 record and overall money line at +145. The Cubs typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an impressive 3.4 walks per home game. Turning to the pitching staff, the Cubs are fourth in the NL in walks allowed with just 2.2 per game.
Across the field, the Padres have a subpar record of 1-2 when they are the underdog, but are +142 overall with the money line. San Diego is one of the top hitting teams in the NL with an average of 9.6 hits per contest. Switching gears to San Diego’s pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in the NL with an average of 8.4 strikeouts per game.
So far this season, the Padres are 1-0 against the Cubs. This game will feature Ross (RHP) on the mound against the Cubs, who have a 5-2 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Padres will be the right-hander Hendricks. They sport a 5-3 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Under
Notes
San Diego recorded at least two errors for the second time this season.
When the Cubs play into extra innings, they have a 2-0 record. The Padres are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Padres are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Cubs have a record of 0-2 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Padres are 5-1. The Cubs have a 1-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 36 this season. San Diego ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 48.
Ranking 16th, San Diego is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 27 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 33.
The Cubs are 4-1 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Padres are 4-2 when they hit at least one homer.
