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The San Diego Padres (19-19) visit the Chicago Cubs (21-15) at Wrigley Field Tuesday for Game 2 of their 3-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Padres vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Padres lead 3-1
San Diego took the opener 6-3 as a slight -103 underdog Monday with the Over (7.5) hitting after 8 combined runs were scored in the 6th inning.
Cubs LHP Justin Steele returned after landing on the IL following a short start Opening Day, while former Cubs RHP Yu Darvish took the mound for the visiting Padres, and both came out throwing. Steele worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings and Darvish tossed 5 scoreless frames.
With Steele removed, San Diego scored 6 in the top of the 6th against the Cubs bullpen behind LF Jurickson Profar’s 2-run single, 3B Donovan Solano’s RBI single and C Luis Campusano’s bases-clearing double.
The Cubs runs came thanks to home runs by DH Christopher Morel (2-run shot in 6th to hit the Over) and C Yan Gomes (solo in 7th).
Padres at Cubs projected starters
RHP Randy Vásquez vs. LHP Shota Imanaga
Vásquez (0-1, 5.87 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.83 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 in 7 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 10-9 loss at Colorado Rockies April 25
- Allowing 1.25 SLG with 2 outs and 2.00 WHIP with 2 outs and RISP
- Never faced Cubs before
Imanaga (5-0, 0.78 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 0.75 WHIP, 1.0 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 34 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 1-0 victory at New York Mets Wednesday
- 2024 home stats: 2-0, 1.13 ERA (16 IP, 2 ER), 0.56 WHIP in 3 starts
- First time facing Padres
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Padres at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:56 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Padres +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Cubs -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Padres +1.5 (-145) | Cubs -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Padres at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 7, Padres 6
Moneyline
The Cubs don’t lose back-to-back games often — just 4 times so far this season. They are 10-4 (71.4%) after a loss (71.4%). The Padres, on the other hand, are 8-10 (44.4%) after a win.
We also can’t ignore this pitching matchup. Imanaga has been phenomenal. Until he slips up, it’s hard to bet against him, which is why I’m willing to lay more juice than usual.
BACK CUBS (-165).
Run line/Against the spread
That being said, I would hesitate in taking Chicago against the spread. As a home favorites, the Cubs are a bottom-10 team, covering in just 4 of 11 attempts (36.4%).
The Padres are the opposite. As a road dogs, they have the 2nd-best ATS record at 9-2 (81.8%).
Even at plus-money on the Cubs (-1.5, +120), I’ll PASS.
Over/Under
The Padres are tied with the 3rd-highest Over rate at 56.8% (21-16-1).
The Over is 4-1-1 in the Cubs’ last 6 games when the O/U line is set at 8 or more runs.
LEAN OVER 9 (-115).
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