First Pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT (9:40 p.m. ET)
Venue: PETCO Park — San Diego, California
Surface: Natural grass
Weather Forecast — PETCO Park
Temperature: 64–67°F at first pitch
Conditions: Clear, coastal breeze
Wind: 7–10 mph blowing in from right field
Impact: Slight pitcher‑friendly environment; deep outfield suppresses home runs
Injury Report
Chicago Cubs
Seiya Suzuki (OF): Day‑to‑day, oblique tightness
Jameson Taillon (RHP): 15‑day IL, back
Julian Merryweather (RHP): 15‑day IL, shoulder
Michael Busch (1B): Day‑to‑day, hand soreness
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF): Day‑to‑day, ankle soreness
Joe Musgrove (RHP): 15‑day IL, elbow
Luis Campusano (C): Day‑to‑day, knee
Robert Suarez (RHP): Day‑to‑day, forearm fatigue
(Official MLB injury designations will finalize closer to game time.)
Team Records & Recent Form
Chicago Cubs (17–11)
Last 5: W, W, L, W, L
Strengths: Improved lineup depth, strong bullpen performance
Weaknesses: Inconsistent road offense
San Diego Padres (18–9)
Last 5: W, W, W, L, W
Strengths: Elite top‑of‑order production, strong home pitching
Weaknesses: Middle‑relief volatility
Probable Pitching Matchup
Chicago — RHP Justin Steele
Profile: Heavy fastball/cutter mix
Strengths: Weak contact, ground‑ball generation
Keys: Keeping Padres’ right‑handed bats off balance
San Diego — RHP Dylan Cease
Profile: High‑velocity fastball, elite slider
Strengths: Strikeout upside, swing‑and‑miss stuff
Keys: Command; avoiding deep counts
This is one of the premier pitching matchups on the Monday slate — a duel between two frontline right‑handers.
Key Player Matchups
Cody Bellinger (CHC) vs. Dylan Cease
Bellinger handles high velocity well
Cease must bury his slider to avoid damage
Dansby Swanson (CHC) vs. Padres’ Bullpen
Swanson’s late‑inning production has been strong
Padres’ middle relief has been shaky
Manny Machado (SD) vs. Justin Steele
Machado excels vs. left‑handed pitching
Steele’s cutter inside will determine this matchup
Xander Bogaerts (SD) vs. Cubs’ Right‑Side Defense
Bogaerts’ line‑drive profile plays well at PETCO
Cubs’ infield must limit extra bases
Series & Historical Notes
Cubs and Padres split their 2025 season series.
Padres have won 6 of the last 8 meetings at PETCO Park.
Both teams enter above .500 with early‑season momentum.
Betting Trends
Chicago
3–2 in last 5
Unders hit in 4 of last 6
Steele starts often trend low‑scoring
San Diego
4–1 in last 5
Overs hit in 3 of last 5
Cease has been dominant at home
Game Odds
Chicago Cubs 7.5
San Diego Padres – 118
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 26, 2026
