Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Prediction: Do Justin Steele, Cubs Have the Edge Over the Padres?

The Chicago Cubs will host the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field tonight in game one of a three-game series. The Cubs have gotten off to a great start this season, sporting a 12-9 record, thanks to some new faces on the team who have helped revitalize a drudging offense last season. The Padres are an even 12-12 entering tonight, but they have Fernando Tatis Jr. back on the team after a long suspension, and the Padres are 2-1 with him in the lineup now. The Cubs are short -112 favorites tonight to win the opener. Can they get it done?

Cubs vs. Padres Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023
• Game Time: 7:40 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV

Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Prediction

Justin Steele has been off to an excellent start in 2023, going 3-0 on the decision with a 1.44 ERA over his first four starts. All four of his starts have been quality starts, and three of those were against tough opponents like the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He did have a bit of a command issue in his start against the Rangers, but aside from that, he has been incredible on the mound. Steele has one start against the Padres, a game last season where he pitched seven innings and only gave up one run. The Cubs still lost that game 1-4, but he should get better run support from a better offense this season.

Speaking of the Cubs' offense, they have been resurging this season with the additions of Dansby Swanson, Eric Hosmer, and Trey Mancini. All three of these players are off to great starts, and Hosmer and Mancini are even more important in this start. Hosmer is 2-3 off Snell, and Mancini is 3-10 off Snell with a homer. This added support at the bottom of the lineup will be big, and I think they can crack Snell in this start.

On the other side of the mound, the Padres will be sending out Blake Snell, who is off to a rough start this season with a 6.00 ERA over his first four starts. As a result, the Padres have lost all four of Snell’s first four starts this season.

This has been a theme for Snell since the start of the 2022 season, as he is the least profitable starter to back on the ML, with the Padres going 11-20 in his starts for -$1,795.00 on $100 units. Snell has not been able to find his groove on the mound, and the Cubs will likely take advantage of his struggles, as they have been very good against southpaw pitchers to start the season.

Overall, I expect the Cubs to come away with the win in this matchup. They have the edge with their starting pitcher, Justin Steele, and their upgraded offense. The Padres, on the other hand, have been struggling with Blake Snell on the mound, but they do at least have Tatis back to spark the team.

Still, I think this pitching matchup favors the Cubs, and the Cubs just played a series at home against the Dodgers and have lost two in a row. This Cubs team is much better than last season, and I don't see them dropping three in a row in their home park. I'm on the Cubs as short favorites to get it done in the opener.

Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Pick

Pick: Cubs ML -112 is currently the best odds. Click here to find out which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick

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