Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Pick & Prediction APRIL 16th 2025
Preview and Prediction
The San Diego Padres suffered their first home loss of the season on Tuesday night, courtesy of the Chicago Cubs.
As the series finale at Petco Park approaches on Wednesday afternoon, the Cubs have the opportunity to end their tough road trip against National League West contenders with a 4-2 record if they can secure a victory.
In a game that showcased the Padres' early season dominance, the Cubs emerged victorious by winning the bullpen battle. Nico Hoerner's triple in the 10th inning drove in the go-ahead run, while Caleb Thielbar shut down three-time batting champion Luis Arraez with runners on base in the bottom of the inning. The final score was 2-1 in favor of the Cubs.
See also:
Rockies reinstate outfielder Brenton Doyle from bereavement roster
See also:
'Dodgers prohibit LHP Blake Snell (shoulder) from pitching'
This win was crucial for the Cubs, who were without injured player Seiya Suzuki for the third consecutive game and had to send top prospect Matt Shaw to Triple-A Iowa. Shaw, a 23-year-old third baseman, struggled in his first 58 MLB at-bats with a batting average of just .172, one home run, three RBIs, and 18 strikeouts.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the importance of facing adversity and learning from struggles, especially for young prospects like Shaw. He also mentioned the team's options at third base, including veteran Justin Turner, utility man Jon Berti, and former Miami Marlins player Vidal Brujan.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd (1-1, 1.59 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs in their quest for a series win. In his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boyd struck out seven batters in six innings but gave up a three-run homer to Tommy Edman, resulting in a 3-0 loss. Boyd's only career meeting with the Padres was a 7-1 win on April 5, where he allowed five hits in six scoreless innings.
The Padres' starting pitcher for the series finale will be right-hander Nick Pivetta (2-1, 1.59 ERA). In his last outing against the Colorado Rockies, Pivetta dominated with 10 strikeouts over seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits. However, he struggled in his previous start against the Cubs, giving up six hits and three walks in just three innings.
San Diego's winning streaks came to an end with their loss to the Cubs on Tuesday night. They had a perfect 11-0 record at home and a 15-game winning streak at Petco Park dating back to last September. The Padres were also on a five-game winning streak and tied the franchise record for the best start to a season.
Injuries to center fielders Jackson Merrill and Brandon Lockridge have left the Padres with limited options in center field. Tyler Wade and Jason Heyward have filled in for the past two games, but neither is a strong choice against left-handed pitchers. Newly called-up player Connor Joe could potentially see playing time against lefties, but All-Star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is not an option, according to manager Mike Shildt.
Shildt emphasized the strength of Tatis Jr. in right field and expressed his desire to keep it that way.
See also:
"New York Mets Dominate Phillies and Complete Perfect 7-0 Homestand in MLB Recap"
See also:
"Doublets put UT William Castro (oblique) on disabled roster"
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Recap APR 16TH 2025
Nico Hoerner tripled in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning and the visiting Chicago Cubs handed the San Diego Padres their first home loss, 2-1, on Tuesday night.
With Dansby Swanson placed at second base as the automatic runner, Hoerner lined a 2-0 fastball from Yuki Matsui (0-1) to the gap in right-center, easily scoring Swanson. It capped a three-hit game for Hoerner.
Ryan Pressly (1-1) got the win with a 1-2-3 ninth and Caleb Thielbar earned his first save, retiring Luis Arraez on a fly ball to left with runners at the corners and two outs in San Diego's half of the 10th.
The outcome snapped the Padres' 11-game winning streak at Petco Park to start the season and ended their bid for what would have been the best start in franchise history. San Diego carried a 15-game home winning streak into the game, dating back to last year.
Neither starter was involved in the decision. Chicago's Shota Imanaga allowed four hits and an unearned run in five innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts, while San Diego's Randy Vasquez lasted five-plus innings, permitting seven hits and a run while walking two and fanning two.
Both teams operated from the same script in the game's first half, building rallies and then not cashing in. The Cubs stranded a pair of runners in the third and the Padres left the bases loaded in the third, then couldn't convert with men at second and third and one out an inning later.
San Diego got on the board in the fifth when Manny Machado ripped a 400-foot homer to left-center. It came after right fielder Kyle Tucker dropped his foul fly, followed by third baseman Gage Workman clanking a foul pop-up just to the left of the plate. It was Machado's second homer.
Chicago tied it in the sixth. Swanson singled, moved to third on Hoerner's single and scored when Arraez mishandled Pete Crow-Armstrong's safety squeeze bunt.
The Cubs won despite stranding 14 baserunners.