San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs Prediction & Betting Tips - MLB Spring Training

Prediction published on 03/03/2024, 15:30  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 03/03/2024 at 15:32 in Baseball Predictions

The San Diego Padres will take on the Chicago Cubs in spring training on Monday. The Padres have done some solid work so far this spring but the best of that has come when they have been on the road. They went 3-4 against the Cubs in the regular season in 2023 but they shutout the Cubs twice in those games and did so again last week when they met for the first time in the Cactus League. José Azocar is making his presence felt for them, the centre fielder has spent some time in the majors over the last couple of seasons but never getting a lot of action. Now that Trent Grisham has gone to the Yankees, there is an outfield spot going and Azocar is making a good case for himself to win it.

The Cubs are off to a similar start to the Padres with wins and losses coming at the same sort of rate. They are hitting for a solid average and picking the right moments to steal a base so far and will be buoyed with a pair of wins over the White Sox so far. David Bote has only had three hits so far from 13 at-bats but two of those have left the yard, picking up five RBI in the process. He had an excellent spring training in 2023 as well but a string of injuries meant that he did not make a single appearance with the big club. A little more luck and he could be a huge part of the team this year.