When these teams last met, the Cubs lost two of three, thanks in part to their biggest blown lead in nearly 22 years.
Since that series the Cubs have one of the best records in the NL at 14-9, while the Padres have treaded water at 11-11.
For more on the Padres, here’s Ben Fadden, manager of our SB Nation Padres site Gaslamp Ball.
The last time the Padres faced the Cubs was the start of three consecutive series San Diego would win. However, the Padres would then fail to win a series against the lowly Rockies before getting swept by the Phillies. You could say Padres fans aren’t too happy, as the starting pitching has continued to put the team behind in games and the offense hasn’t taken off yet.
Xander Bogaerts was moved out of the leadoff spot after his really slow start (.216 AVG, .573 OPS) and to make things worse, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado haven’t been outstanding either. Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill — two guys making less than $2 million this season combined — are instead the standout performers offensively. The Padres hope the recent acquisition of Luis Arraez will help jumpstart their offense.
Cubs fan – you might be catching the Friars at the right time.
Fun facts
The Cubs lost two of three to the Padres at San Diego on April 8-10. The three games at Wrigley Field starting today will conclude the season series, after the Cubs’ 38th game of the season. Wednesday will be the earliest date of a season finale between the teams, surpassing May 14 in 2006. The only other finale before June was May 21, 2015.
The Cubs’ next win vs. the Padres at Wrigley Field will be their 150th there since the rivalry began in 1969. The 149 wins so far are the Cubs’ most at home since then against any team that never was in the same division as the Cubs. They have won 148 vs. the Astros, 139 vs. the Giants, 132 vs. the Braves, 123 vs. the Dodgers and 112 vs. the Brewers. They won 65 at home vs. the Marlins, who were in the NL East along with the Cubs for Miami’s first season, 1993.
The Cubs’ winning percentage at home against the Padres, .582 (149-107), is their best since 1969 against any NL opponent. They are .563 vs. the Rockies and .550 vs. the Cardinals. The Cubs have winning percentages of .583 to .727 vs. seven AL teams, the lowest vs. the Rangers (7-5) and highest vs. the Mariners (8-3). They have played as many as 20 games against only two of the seven, going 12-8 vs. the Royals and Twins.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Monday: Justin Steele, LHP (0-0, 1.93 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 1.23 FIP) vs. Yu Darvish, RHP (1-1, 3.45 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, 3.47 FIP)
Tuesday: Shõta Imanaga, LHP (5-0, 0.78 ERA, 0.750 WHIP, 2.23 FIP) vs. Randy Vasquez, RHP (0-1, 5.87 ERA, 1.826 WHIP, 6.81 FIP)
Wednesday: Hayden Wesneski, RHP (2-0, 0.54 ERA, 0.720 WHIP, 2.02 FIP) vs. Dylan Cease, RHP (4-2, 2.55 ERA, 0.803 WHIP, 2.50 FIP)
NOTE: Joe Musgrove was originally scheduled to start Tuesday, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with triceps tendinitis. Randy Vasquez was recalled from Triple-A El Paso and while it’s not official yet, this article says he will be the starter Tuesday.
Times & TV channels
Monday: 6:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Tuesday: 6:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Wednesday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
The Padres have allowed 176 runs, sixth-most in MLB, and 43 home runs, fourth-most. What I’m saying here is that the Padres pitching staff might be just what the Cubs need to kick-start their offense.
The Cubs have really good pitchers going into this series. The Padres have a couple guys going who have done well so far in Darvish and Cease, but … gonna pick two of three again.
Up next
The Cubs have Thursday off, then travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates in a three-game series at PNC Park beginning Friday evening.
