AP Sports Preview

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs visit the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at PETCO Park in a matchup of two of the National League’s top teams to open a three-game series.

Chicago (17-11) sends right-hander Edward Cabrera (2-0) to the mound, seeking to extend his unbeaten start to the season. San Diego (18-9) counters with right-hander Walker Buehler (1-2), who is looking to bounce back after a rough April.

The Padres have won three of their last four games but are coming off a 12-7 loss at Arizona on Sunday, despite a two-homer, five-RBI performance from third baseman Manny Machado. Machado has been a force at the plate in recent weeks, with multiple hits in four of his last seven games, including homers and five RBIs on Sunday and a two-hit outing Thursday at Colorado.

The Cubs are trying to stop a two-game slide after being outscored 18-4 in back-to-back losses at Los Angeles. Their most recent game was a 6-0 shutout Sunday against the Dodgers. Relief pitcher Yacksel Ríos turned in a scoreless 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts in that loss. Ríos is a player to watch in a Cubs bullpen that needs to support Cabrera deep into the game.

Tuesday’s game is the second meeting of the season between the teams. The series opener Monday was a scoreless tie — the game was postponed or canceled with both teams held to zero runs in what may have been a rainout or incomplete contest.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-7 Cubs victory, and Chicago has been installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs.

Cabrera has looked sharp in his first two starts, giving up just one earned run total over 11 innings. Buehler has struggled to find consistency, allowing five earned runs in his last start against Milwaukee.

The Cubs will rely on their bullpen, which has been solid despite Sunday’s loss. The Padres will look to Machado to continue his hot streak and for their starting rotation to keep Chicago’s lineup in check.

Both teams have key series ahead. After Tuesday’s game, the Cubs face San Diego again Wednesday before returning home to host Arizona. The Padres host the Chicago White Sox this weekend.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PDT.