Padres vs. Cubs Thursday Prediction
The Chicago Cubs have played .500 ball over their last 10 games but they’ll have an opportunity to get over that mark by playing the struggling San Diego Padres on Thursday night. Will the Cubs cash on the runline?
Game Snapshot & Odds
959 San Diego Padres (+167) at 960 Chicago Cubs (-177)
Thursday, August 2, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: SD (FSSD); CHC (CSNC)
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -177 favorite. As of this writing, 79% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Padres on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Padres’ Erlin to start for Padres on Thursday
Robbie Erlin will start for the Padres on Thursday in place of the injured Luis Perdomo. Perdomo is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks with a right shoulder strain and Erlin will occupy his rotation spot in the meantime. The 27-year-old southpaw owns a 3.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 50/6 K/BB ratio over 59 2/3 innings, primarily out of the Padres bullpen, this season.
Cubs’ Montgomery struggles in loss to Cardinals
Mike Montgomery allowed 12 hits and five runs over five innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Friday. Montgomery particularly struggled with the middle of the St. Louis order, as Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna went a combined 8-for-9 off the southpaw on Friday night. Montgomery was excellent in his last start against the Cardinals on Saturday, but he didn’t fool anyone on Friday as you can see from that statline. He’s scheduled to take the mound on Thursday against the Padres, and he’ll take a 4.03 ERA with just 54 strikeouts in 87 innings into that outing.
MLB Betting Trends
San Diego
The Padres are winless in Erlin’s last five starts.
Chicago
The Cubs are winless in Montgomery’s last four outings.
Prediction:
The Cubs have definitely cooled down since their hot start post All-Star break but there’s no reason to fade them tonight. The Padres have lost five of six against the Cubs, are 17-35 in their last 52 games overall, and are just 6-15 in their last 21 road games. The Cubs, meanwhile, have won 14 of 19 at home and are 5-2 in their last seven games versus the National League West.
The Pick: Chicago Cubs -1.5