AP Sports Preview

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The San Diego Padres host the Chicago White Sox on Sunday evening at PETCO Park, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 70-degree temperatures.

The Padres (19-12) enter as -1.5 favorites, with the over/under set at 8. The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 San Diego victory.

Chicago (15-17) has not announced whether left-hander Anthony Kay (1-1) or right-hander Randy Vásquez (3-0) will start. Vásquez has been sharp to open the season, while Kay has been inconsistent. The Padres have not named a probable pitcher.

White Sox left-hander Noah Schultz has been Chicago’s most effective arm in the series. In Friday’s 8-2 win, Schultz threw six innings of two-hit shutout ball with two strikeouts. Over his last four starts, Schultz has a 2.12 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings.

Padres reliever Wandy Peralta has been a bright spot out of the bullpen. Peralta tossed two scoreless innings in Friday’s loss, allowing no hits with two strikeouts. Over his last seven appearances, Peralta has a 1.59 ERA.

The series opened Friday with the White Sox pounding San Diego 8-2. First baseman Munetaka Murakami hit a three-run homer and shortstop Colson Montgomery added a solo shot. Saturday’s game ended 0-0.

Chicago enters on a hot streak, having won four of its last five, including three straight against the Angels before this series. The White Sox have outscored opponents 24-13 in that stretch.

San Diego has lost two straight and three of its last four. The Padres dropped two of three to the Cubs before Friday’s loss. Fernando Tatis Jr. went 3-for-3 in Friday’s defeat.

After this game, the White Sox travel to Los Angeles for a three-game series against the Angels starting Monday. The Padres head to San Francisco for three games against the Giants.