Adam Williams presents his prediction for the MLB match.
A strong start to the season has seen both the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs climb to the top of the National League's West and Central Divisions respectively. The opening two games of their current series have been evenly balanced: the Padres secured a dominant 10:4 win in Game 1, while the Cubs edged a tight pitching battle in Game 2 with a 2:1 result.
San Diego Padres
The Padres have emerged as one of the most intriguing teams in the early stages of the MLB campaign. They have displayed impressive all-around form, with their pitching unit particularly standing out. The Padres currently lead the league in shutouts, having recorded six so far. The latest came in a 6:0 victory over the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, highlighted by a commanding performance from starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who struck out 10 over seven innings. Nick Pivetta is expected to start again in the upcoming match.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs, meanwhile, have shown resilience and the ability to bounce back. Their most recent win marked the third occasion this season on which they have restricted the San Diego Padres to just a single run. That result also handed the home side its first defeat of the season at Petco Park. Veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd is scheduled to start from the first inning. In three starts this season, he has posted an ERA of 1.5, including a commanding 7:1 outing against the San Diego Padres, during which he delivered six excellent innings on the mound.
San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The total run line in the first four meetings between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs this spring has not surpassed 7.5. For this match-up, the line has been raised to 8.5. Given the likelihood of a standout performance from either Nick Pivetta or Matthew Boyd, this figure seems slightly inflated. Total Under appears to offer better value in this scenario.
