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The San Diego Padres (18-19) and Chicago Cubs (21-14) open a 3-game set Monday. First pitch from Wrigley Field 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 2-1
The Padres snapped a 4-game winning streak with an 11-4 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday while failing to cash as -106 road favorites.
CF Jackson Merrill led the way on offense for San Diego with a 2-run homer, while C Kyle Higashioka was the only other Padres player with an RBI. RHP Matt Waldron allowed 7 earned runs in 3 innings to pick up the loss.
Chicago has won back-to-back games after taking down the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 Sunday and cashing as a +126 home underdog.
Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner had 2 RBIs, while SS Dansby Swanson had a solo homer in the winning effort. RHP Javier Assad allowed 0 earned runs in 6 innings to pick up the win.
Padres at Cubs projected starters
RHP Yu Darvish vs. LHP Justin Steele
Darvish (1-1, 3.45 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 28 2/3 innings.
- Padres are 4-2 in his starts, including 3-0 in his last 3
- Has allowed 11 ER and 2 HR while striking out 25 and walking 10
Steele (0-0, 1.93 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits and 1 walk with 6 K’s in 4 2/3 innings in his season debut, a 4-3 Opening Day loss in 10 innings at the Texas Rangers.
- Has been sidelined with a hamstring injury
- 2023 home stats: 12-3, 2.65 ERA (102 IP, 30 ER), 1.19 WHIP in 18 starts
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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 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Padres -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Cubs -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Padres +1.5 (-250) | Cubs -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Padres at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Padres 4
Moneyline
BET CUBS (-110).
The Cubs have won back-to-back games, both at home, and have scored 5 or more runs in 3 of their last 4. They get Steele back on the mound for the 1st time since Opening Day and face a Padres team that is 4-6 in its last 10. Combine Chicago’s hot offense with its ace returning, and it should see a 3-game winning streak.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The moneyline has better value for the Cubs.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7 (-120).
The Cubs have scored 5 or more runs in 3 of their last 4 games while allowing 5 or more in 2 of their last 4.
The Padres have scored 6 or more runs in 4 of their last 5 games and 6 of their last 10 while allowing 4 or more in 7 of their last 10. They have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10.
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