Cubs vs Padres

Cubs vs Padres | MLB Betting Analysis

Written by on June 7, 2021

A challenging West Coast trip continues for the Chicago Cubs as they open a series at the San Diego Padres on Monday night in what could be a playoff preview. It’s the lone national TV game; there are only three matchups overall on Monday. The Friars are favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Cubs at Padres MLB Odds & TV Info

  • When: Monday, 10 PM ET
  • Where: Petco Park
  • Probable pitchers (away/home): Adbert Alzolay/Ryan Weathers
  • TV: ESPN
  • Stream/gameday audio: ESPN app
  • Opening MLB Lines: Padres -120, Cubs +110 (total 7.5 runs)

Why Bet on Chicago? | MLB Betting Analysis 

The Cubs swept three games vs. the Padres at Wrigley Field from May 31-June 2. The Cubs homered eight times as they swept the Padres in a three-game set at Wrigley for the first time since May 2012.

Starting catcher Willson Contreras didn’t play Sunday’s series finale in San Francisco but it was just a day of rest and he should be in there Monday. Contreras leads the majors with 50 games, 48 starts and 407.0 innings at catcher.

Outfielder Joc Pederson also got Sunday off due to a back issue so it’s no sure thing he plays here. Fellow outfielder Rafael Ortega also sat Sunday. Following his May 26 call-up, Ortega started in seven of his first eight games with the club, going 4-for-24 with a home run. The lack of production appears to have prompted manager David Ross to look elsewhere for help in the outfield; Ortega was on the bench for a fourth straight game Sunday.

It’s good-looking young right-hander Adbert Alzolay (4-4) on the mound here. Alzolay struck out seven while yielding just one run over five innings last Wednesday in the Cubs’ 6-1 win over the Padres. The Padres made Alzolay work during a fourth inning when they picked up a run on a couple hits and a walk. The only run against the right-hander was a Ha-Seong Kim RBI single in the fourth inning.

Alzolay was mostly in control, though, allowing just three hits and one walk to go along with his seven punchouts. Alzolay now boasts a 58/11 K/BB ratio over 54 2/3 innings this season with a 3.62 ERA.

He has allowed three runs or less in nine consecutive starts, the longest stretch by a Cub starter in the same season since Cole Hamels (also nine games, from August 1-Sept. 14, 2018). This will be his second career start vs. San Diego.

Why Bet on San Diego? | MLB Betting Analysis 

San Diego batters have swung and missed just a National League-best 24.6 percent. Jake Cronenworth’s 12.0 swing and miss percentage is the 2nd best mark in the NL, behind just Pittsburgh’s Kevin Newman’s 11.7%.

Catcher Austin Nola will need a rehab assignment before returning to the Padres. Nola was placed on the injured list at the end of May with a knee sprain. He’s getting closer to returning to activities, but will need to play some minor-league games before he returns. The Padres are hoping to have the backstop back by the end of June.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said that outfielder Trent Grisham is still experiencing pain in his injured heel while running. The lingering discomfort has prevented Grisham from being activated from the injured list and could keep him sidelined for an extended period moving forward. The 24-year-old center fielder has been out since late May due to a foot contusion.

It’s lefty Ryan Weathers (2-2) on the bump here. Weathers pitched five innings, relinquishing four runs off seven hits, last Tuesday vs. the Cubs. Weathers struck out two and issued one free pass. It was the first time the 21-year-old southpaw had faced the Cubs, and it didn’t go well.

All of his damage came via a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot by Patrick Wisdom in the second inning and a two-run homer by Willson Contreras in the fifth. Weathers eclipsed the 80-pitch mark for the second time this season.

“Stuff could have been a little bit better,” Weathers said. “I think location was a tad off towards the end. All in all, getting through five, felt really good. … The slider was good for the whole night. The last fastball to Contreras was just left middle. It was supposed to be up and in. Perfect height. Just left it middle. Just little stuff like that, just have to clean up and keep runs off the board.”

His ERA stands at 2.06 in 39 1/3 total innings pitched, and he also carries a very good 0.99 WHIP. Weathers also leads MLB with four successful pickoffs of runners.

Game Trends

  • Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in San Diego.
  • Cubs are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in San Diego.
  • Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings.
  • Cubs are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

Expert MLB Prediction

Padres 4, Cubs 3

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