MLB Picks: Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres 4/8/24

Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres
Date: Monday, April 8th, 9:40 ET
Location: PETCO Park
TV: MLBN
Money Line: Cubs +115/Padres -137
Total Line: 7.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the San Diego Padres and the Cubs on Monday, April 8th at PETCO Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

At 9:40 PM ET, the San Diego Padres will host the Chicago Cubs at PETCO Park in San Diego, CA. The Padres are favored to win this NL matchup, with a money line of -137 compared to the Cubs’ +115.

Yu Darvish will be on the mound for the Padres, while the Cubs will counter with Javier Assad. The over/under line for the game is set at 7.5 runs, with the over carrying a payout of -117 compared to the under at -104.

Cubs vs. Padres Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Chicago Cubs: 6-3 SU / OU 6-3 / Runline 6-3
San Diego Padres: 5-7 SU / OU 5-6 / Runline 6-6

Cubs Records & Recent Play

Chicago got a late scare from the Dodgers in their season finale with Los Angeles but still came out on top by a score of 8-1 as the -102 underdogs on the money line. The Cubs’ offense was hot early, as they scored three runs in the 1st inning, while the Dodgers didn’t get on the board until the 8th.

Shota Imanaga went four innings for the Cubs, giving up no runs or hits while striking out three. He was pulled after four innings of work, and the Cubs bullpen closed things out. Cody Bellinger had a big game at the plate, going 1/4 with a homer and scoring twice. Michael Busch also drove in three runs with a double.

Padres Records & Recent Play

The Padres’ offense struggled in their most recent game vs. the Giants, but they still had a chance to pick up the win, as they were leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th. However, the Giants scored twice in their half of the 9th to hand the Padres a 3-2 loss. Jhony Brito was handed the loss out of the bullpen for the Padres.

Matt Waldron started for the Padres, going 5 1/3 innings while not giving up a run or hit. Waldron struck out five in his start. At the plate, Jackson Merrill went 4/4 and scored the Padres’ only two runs. Jake Cronenworth also had a good game, going 2/4 with a double and an RBI.

San Diego is currently in 4th place in the NL West, three games behind the division-leading Dodgers. They are 5-7 overall and have gone 4-5 against division opponents. At home, they have gone 3-5, while they are 2-2 on the road. In series, they have gone 1-2-1.

San Diego is just 3-4 as the favorite and 2-3 as the underdog. In games at home where they are favored, they are 3-4. They are coming off a series where they went 1-2 against the Giants.

San Diego has been a tough team to predict on the run line, as they are 6-6 overall. They have been a better bet on the road, going 4-0, compared to 2-6 at home. They have been a better bet as an underdog, going 4-1, compared to 2-5 as a favorite. Their average run margin in winning games is 4.0, while it is -2.9 in losing games.

San Diego’s over/under record on the season is 5-6, and the average over/under line for their games is 8 runs. However, the over/under line for their game against the Cubs today is set at 7.5 runs. The Padres have gone under in five straight games, and their combined run average for the season is 10 runs per game.

Pitching Matchup

Javier Assad will be making his second start of the season for the Cubs, and he’ll be on the road against the Padres. In his first start of the season, Assad picked up a win at home vs. the Rockies. He went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 home run, and 1 walk, while striking out 5.

Yu Darvish is getting the start for the Padres today, as they are at home against the Cubs. Darvish is coming off a loss in his last start, where he went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and struck out 6. In his first start of the season, he went 5 innings and struck out 7 but took a no-decision.

Cubs vs. Padres Offense Outlook

When looking at the Cubs’ offensive projections, Seiya Suzuki is not only projected to have the most hits on the team, but he also has the 6th best odds to hit a home run in today’s slate of games. Cody Bellinger is right behind him in terms of home run projections, as his odds to hit a home run are 11th best in today’s games. Christopher Morel also has a solid chance to go deep, as his home run projection is 11th in today’s games.

Our model is projecting a big game from Manny Machado, as he has the 3rd highest total hits projection on the team and the highest home run projection. In fact, his home run projection is 11th best in the league today. Xander Bogaerts is our top projected hitter in terms of total hits, as his total hits projection is 16th best in the league. Fernando Tatis Jr. has the 2nd best home run projection on the team and the 13th best in the league today. If you’re looking for a long shot, Luis Campusano has the 2nd best home run projection on the team and the 13th best in the league today.

Free Cubs vs. Padres MLB Pick

Our prediction for today’s Cubs vs. Padres game is that the Padres will pick up a 6-5 win. If you’re looking to place a bet on the money line, we recommend taking the Padres, with a payout of -137.

Looking at the starting pitchers, Yu Darvish is projected to finish with seven strikeouts, which is good for fourth best among today’s starters. As for the Cubs starter, Javier Assad is projected to finish with five K’s, which is fifth worst.