Chicago Cubs (17-12) at San Diego Padres (19-9) | Petco Park | 8:40 PM CT
The Chicago Cubs (17–12 after losing 9–7 last night) face the San Diego Padres (19–9, best April in franchise history) for Game 2 at Petco Park. We’re on a THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK despite Moisés Ballesteros’ FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM last night. Edward Cabrera (2-0, 2.73 ERA) starts for us against Walker Buehler (1-2, 5.75 ERA).
This is Game 2—can we bounce back and attack Buehler’s 5.75 ERA?
Cubs Season: 17-12 on a THREE-Game Losing Streak
Record: 17-12 (Five Games Over .500, THREE-Game Losing Streak)
We’re 17–12 and five games over .500 on a THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK after losing 9–7 to the Padres last night. Moisés Ballesteros hit his FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM (404-foot bomb!), but we couldn’t hold the lead. The Padres came back to win.
Last Night’s Tough Loss (9–7):
- Lost 9–7 despite Ballesteros’ grand slam
- Moisés Ballesteros: FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM (404 feet, 5th HR)
- Seiya Suzuki: Solo homer (5th of season)
- Led 5-3 after Ballesteros’ slam in the 3rd
- Padres came back: Ty France 4 RBIs, Nick Castellanos 2 RBIs
- Mason Miller’s 34.2-inning scoreless streak ENDED (we scored 2 in 9th)
THREE-Game Losing Streak:
- Lost to Dodgers 12–4 (blowout)
- Lost to Dodgers 6–0 (shut out)
- Lost to Padres 9–7 last night (couldn’t hold lead)
Key Stats:
- 37 home runs (5th in MLB – power is there!)
- .263 batting average (3rd in MLB)
- 5.3 runs per game (5th in MLB)
- But THREE straight losses after TEN-game win streak
Edward Cabrera Tonight:
- 2-0, 2.73 ERA (elite start to season!)
- Acquired from Marlins in offseason trade
- Trying to stop the three-game losing streak
We need Cabrera to dominate and stop this skid.
San Diego Padres: 19-9, Best April in Franchise History
The Padres are 19–9 after beating us 9–7 last night. They’re 18-5 in April (.783 winning percentage) — BEST APRIL IN FRANCHISE HISTORY.
Padres Hot Start:
- 19-9 record (elite team, NL West leaders)
- 18-5 in April (.783 – franchise record!)
- 17 wins in last 21 games (surging)
- 9-4 at home (Petco Park advantage)
Walker Buehler Starting:
- 1-2, 5.75 ERA (VERY exploitable!)
- Former Dodgers ace but struggling
- We can attack this ERA
Padres Offense Last Night:
- Ty France: 4 RBIs (double, triple)
- Manny Machado: 3 hits, 3 runs
- Nick Castellanos: 2-RBI single (go-ahead hit)
- Gavin Sheets: Solo homer
What We’re Facing:
- Hottest team in baseball (18-5 in April)
- But Buehler has a 5.75 ERA (vulnerable)
- Mason Miller’s scoreless streak ENDED (we got to him!)
- Playing at Petco Park (tough environment)
The Padres are HOT but Buehler is struggling. We can get to him.
Key Matchups at Petco Park
Edward Cabrera (2-0, 2.73 ERA) vs Padres Lineup
Cabrera has been ELITE this year (2.73 ERA). The Padres are hot but Cabrera can shut them down.
Cubs Offense (5.3 RPG) vs Walker Buehler (5.75 ERA)
We’re the 5th-highest scoring team in baseball. Buehler has a 5.75 ERA. ATTACK HIM like we did last night!
Ballesteros and Suzuki vs Buehler
Ballesteros hit a grand slam last night. Suzuki homered too. Keep the power surge going.
Stop the THREE-Game Slide
Lost three straight (two to Dodgers, one to Padres). Cabrera needs to stop the bleeding.
What the Cubs Need at Petco Park
Edward Cabrera Dominates
Cabrera is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA. The Padres are hot but Cabrera can shut them down.
Offense Attacks Buehler’s 5.75 ERA
We scored 7 runs last night. Buehler has a 5.75 ERA. Keep attacking and jump on him early.
Ballesteros and Suzuki Stay Hot
Ballesteros hit his first grand slam. Suzuki homered. Keep the power going at Petco.
End the THREE-Game Losing Streak
Lost three straight. Cabrera needs to dominate and our offense needs to support him.
Cubs Fan Prediction: We Bounce Back
Final Score: Cubs 6, Padres 4
Edward Cabrera dominates—7 innings, 4 runs. Not perfect but keeps us in the game.
We ATTACK Buehler’s 5.75 ERA for 6 runs. Ian Happ goes deep. Nico Hoerner drives in runs. Ballesteros stays hot.
The Padres score 4 but Cabrera and the bullpen hold on. We break the three-game losing streak.
Two-run win. We’re 18–12, SIX GAMES OVER .500. End the skid in San Diego.
Why Game 2 Matters
We’re 17–12 on a THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK after losing 9–7 last night. Ballesteros hit his first career grand slam but it wasn’t enough. The Padres are 19–9 with the best April in franchise history.
Win tonight and we’re 18–12, back to SIX GAMES OVER .500. End the losing streak against a hot Padres team.
Can Cabrera shut them down? Will our offense attack Buehler’s 5.75 ERA? Can we bounce back?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 18–12 and ending the skid would keep us on track for a playoff push.
Go Cubs Go. Bounce back and get back in the win column.