Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (30) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres Prediction 4/28/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Chicago Cubs San Diego Padres
Team Records 17-12 19-9
Where Petco Park, San Diego, California
When Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time 09:40 PM EDT
TV MLB.TV

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Padres Prediction for this MLB matchup on Tuesday, April 28th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

San Diego Padres Preview

The San Diego Padres have a 19-9 record this season and are sitting in the second place of the NL West. They have a 10-4 home record and are coming off a 9-7 win at home against the Cubs. Their previous three games were a 7-12 loss, a 6-4 win at home against the Diamondbacks, and a 10-8 win on the road against the Rockies.

The Padres have a .240 batting average this season, .315 OBP and .390 Slugging percentage. San Diego’s pitching staff has a 4.07 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Xander Bogaerts is the team’s best hitter with a .284 batting average. Ramon Laureano leads the team in RBI with 18, and Manny Machado adds a team‑high 4 home runs.

Walker Buehler (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Padres, and he has a 1-2 record, 5.75 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 17-12 record this season and are sitting in the second place of the NL Central. They have a 6-7 away record and are coming off a 7-9 loss on the road against the Padres. Their previous three games were a 0-6 loss, a 4-12 loss and a 6-4 win on the road against the Dodgers.

The Cubs have a .262 batting average this season, .352 OBP and .426 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.05 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .297 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 24. Ian Happ adds a team‑high 7 home runs.

Edward Cabrera (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 2-0 record, 2.73 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres Betting Trends: April 28, 2026

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Walker Buehler      Record this season: 1-2      ERA: 5.75
  • Home Record: 1-1
  • Last 5 against Cubs: 1-2

Why the San Diego Padres will win

  • The Padres have won each of their last nine home games.
  • The Cubs have lost nine of their last 10 road games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Padres have covered the run line in each of their last six home games against National League opponents.
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
  • The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last nine road games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Padres have won the first inning in three of their last four home games against NL Central opponents.

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Edward Cabrera      Record this season: 2-0      ERA: 2.73
  • Road Record: 0-0
  • Last 5 against Padres: 1-0

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

  • The Padres have lost 10 of their last 11 games against the Cubs following a win.
  • The Cubs have won eight of their last nine games against the Padres following a loss.
  • The favorites have covered the run line in each of the last four games between the Cubs and Padres.
  • The Padres have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games following a win.
  • The Padres have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games.
  • The Padres have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

  • Seven of the Cubs’ last eight night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Each of the Padres’ last four games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Padres’ last nine games as underdogs.
  • The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last eight games at Petco Park.

San Diego Padres Player Prop Facts

  • Nick Castellanos has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against the Cubs.
  • Luis Campusano has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances against NL opponents.
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. ranks T9th in the league in Steals (7) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

  • Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four night games.
  • Edward Cabrera has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his four previous appearances with his team as a favorite against NL West opponents.
  • Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Cubs as road favorites against NL West opponents.
  • Nico Hoerner ranks T6th in the league in Hits (35) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Padres rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (22).
  • The Padres rank T3rd in the league for doubles this season (54).
  • The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.352).
  • The Cubs rank T3rd in the league for runs scored this season (156).

Cubs vs Padres Prediction

Both teams are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings and the Padres are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings in San Diego.

In this Cubs vs Padres Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -120 road favorites. The Cubs have now lost three straight after a lengthy winning streak, while the Padres are 6-2 in their last 8 and have been the team with the third-best record in baseball. Cabrera has been struggling lately with three straight stars with 3 earned runs, while Buehler has given up at least three runs in three of his five starts this season. The Cubs have the third-best offense in baseball and both teams average 10.5 runs/9 against righties, so I expect a high-scoring affair. Take the over 8 in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Over 8