San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage when they host the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of their National League playoff series Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs took a 1-0 series lead with a 3-1 victory Tuesday, backed by a strong pitching performance from Matthew Boyd and the bullpen. The Padres, meanwhile, saw a solid start from Nick Pivetta go to waste as their offense was held in check.
Chicago, which finished the regular season 93-70, has won four of its last five games. San Diego (90-73) had won three straight before Tuesday’s loss and will be desperate to avoid falling into an 0-2 series hole before the scene shifts to the West Coast.
Despite the Cubs’ recent success and status as a 1.5-run favorite according to oddsmakers, a projection from Interstat forecasts a high-scoring affair, predicting a 7-4 Padres victory. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 runs.
The game-time forecast calls for clear skies and 77 degrees, ideal conditions for an October playoff contest under the lights. First pitch is scheduled for Wednesday evening.
The series will continue Thursday in Chicago for Game 3.