Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres 5/9/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

On Monday, the Chicago Cubs open a three-game series on the road against the San Diego Padres. Chicago dropped to 9-17 following its 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday. Chicago was swept in the doubleheader after losing the opener 7-0. The Cubs have lost four straight and seven of the last eight. Chicago is fourth in the National League Central, nine games behind first place Milwaukee.

Nico Noerner is batting .289 to lead Chicago and the shortstop has a team-high 24 hits. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom is the leader in home runs with five and RBIs with 15, while center fielder Ian Happ is the leader in on-base percentage at .409. On Monday, the Chicago Cubs will send Justin Steele to the mound. The left-hander is 1-3 with a 5.50 ERA, 16 Ks and 11 BBs.

San Diego dropped to 18-10 following its 8-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for San Diego. The Padres have started out well on the mound, with a 3.60 ERA that is 15th in baseball and are holding opposing hitters to an average of .217 which is sixth.  San Diego is second in the National League West, 1 ½ games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manny Machado is batting .381 to lead San Diego and the third baseman has 7 home runs, 21 RBIs, 40 hits and an on base percentage of .459 to beat the Padres in each category. Jurickson Profar is second in home runs with five and Eric Hosmer is second in RBIs with 18. On Monday, the San Diego Padres will send Mike Clevinger to the mound. The right-hander is 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA, 4 Ks and 3 BBs.