San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM ET – Wrigley Field (MLB.TV)

Starting Pitchers: Kyle Hart (SD) vs Ben Brown (CHC)
Moneyline: Cubs -145, Padres +114
Over/Under: 7.5

Game Preview:

The San Diego Padres look to salvage the series finale Sunday at Wrigley Field after dropping back-to-back games to the Cubs. San Diego started the year 7-0 but has gone quiet offensively, getting outscored 10-2 over the first two games in Chicago. The Cubs, meanwhile, have won five straight and are clicking at the plate and on the mound.

San Diego enters at 7-2 with a strong +30 run differential, but they’ve cooled off since arriving in the Windy City. They’ll turn to left-hander Kyle Hart, who was serviceable in his debut — allowing 2 ER over 5 innings. The Padres’ offense, led by Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., has underperformed the last two days but still ranks top-5 in team batting average (.279) and OBP (.344).

Chicago is 7-4 after back-to-back wins and has scored at least 7 runs in four of their last five. Kyle Tucker (4 HR, 12 RBI) and Seiya Suzuki (4 HR, 11 RBI) have been huge early, while Carson Kelly delivered 4 RBIs in Saturday’s win. The Cubs’ pitching staff has been better than expected, but Ben Brown (1-1, 5.87 ERA) has struggled with command, posting a 1.96 WHIP over 7.2 innings. If Brown doesn’t miss bats early, this could be the bounce-back spot the Padres need.

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Best Bet: Padres Moneyline (+114)

This is a perfect buy-low spot on a talented Padres team that’s due to snap out of its slump. They’ve dominated this head-to-head spot — winning 9 of their last 10 against the Cubs following a loss. Chicago has also dropped 14 of its last 20 home games vs NL opponents following a win. With Hart offering steadier command than Brown, and the San Diego bats due for regression, this is one of the sharper MLB best bets today as an underdog play.

Top Player Prop: Jackson Merrill Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120)

Merrill has been one of San Diego’s most consistent hitters and gets a juicy matchup against Ben Brown, who’s allowed plenty of hard contact. Merrill has multiple hits in 4 of his last 7 and will bat near the top of the order in a strong offensive park. Great value on one of the more overlooked MLB player props today.

Padres vs Cubs Betting Trends:

Padres are 9-1 in last 10 games vs Cubs after a loss
Cubs are 6-14 in last 20 as home favorites vs NL teams after a win
Padres are 15-3 RL in last 18 as underdogs vs Cubs after a road loss
Cubs are 6-1 to the Under in last 7 games as home favorites
Under is 14-4 in Padres’ last 18 day games

Padres vs Cubs FAQ

Who is favored in Padres vs Cubs today?
The Chicago Cubs are -145 home favorites over the San Diego Padres.

What time is Padres vs Cubs on April 6, 2025?
First pitch is set for 2:20 PM ET from Wrigley Field, streaming on MLB.TV.

What is the over/under for Padres vs Cubs?
The total is 7.5 runs — one of the lower lines on today’s MLB board.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Kyle Hart (Padres) vs Ben Brown (Cubs). Brown has a 5.87 ERA through two starts this season.

What’s the top MLB player prop today for this game?
Jackson Merrill Over 1.5 total bases (+120) offers strong value against a pitcher struggling with contact.

Which side has the betting edge today?
The Padres are 9-1 in their last 10 vs the Cubs after a loss and offer solid underdog value.

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