Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Prediction, Picks and Preview – May 19, 2015

The San Diego Padres (19-20) have gone under .500 for the first time this month after losing to the Washington Nationals on Sunday, 10-5. With the Chicago Cubs (21-16) in town later tonight, will the Padres get back to .500 and end their losing streak? Or will the Cubs continue their rise in the National League Central division.  You can also click here for the opener of the Rays-Braves interleague series.
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Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Preview

Where: Petco Park, San Diego

When: Tuesday, May 19, 10:10 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs (+108) vs. San Diego Padres (-118); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Chicago Cubs

[sc:MLB240banner ]The Cubs were hoping they could carry their win streak on the road, but a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday stopped them from doing just that. The Cubs now attempt to get back in the win column when Jason Hammel makes his third start this month against the Padres. The Cubs are 3-1 in Hammel’s last three starts.

Hammel (3-1, 3.11 ERA) was far from spectacular in his first start this season against San Diego, as he gave up four runs on six plus innings in the Cubs’ 5-4 loss on April 17. Hammel, however, has picked up his game of late, collecting a 2-0 record and a 1.86 ERA over his last four starts. That includes the Cubs’ 2-1 win over the New York Mets on May 13, wherein Hammel allowed just one earned run on five hits in eight innings of action. He didn’t get the win in that game but his superb performance is a good sign for the Cubs.

Backing Hammel in his rematch with San Diego is the Cubs’ offense that has been exceptional during their recent seven-game homestand. The Cubs were 6-1 during that stretch, wherein they averaged 4.7 runs per game. Over the same course, rookie phenom Kris Bryant has hit .455 (10-for-22) with three homers. He is currently on a seven-game hit streak. Anthony Rizzo, meanwhile, has hit two homers and has driven eight runs during the same span.

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Betting on the San Diego Padres

When in doubt, get James Shields to the mound. Having dropped three-straight games, the Padres will once again call on Big Game James to rescue them from another losing rut. The Padres are 3-0 in Shields last three starts after a loss.

In his most recent start, Shields (5-0 3.91 ERA) threw six innings of one-run ball and struck out nine batters in the Padres’ 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on May 13 that ended the team’s two-game losing streak. The Padres, however, might be weighed down by their offense that has averaged just 2.0 runs over their last five games. In their three-game series against Washington, the Padres were massively outscored by the Nats, 24-6.

A possible return by leadoff hitter Wil Myers, who missed the Padres’ last six games because of a wrist injury, could help San Diego be more competitive at the plate later tonight. Thus far this season, Myers has hit .291/.340/.493 with five homers and 19 RBI.

San Diego is 7-3 in its last 10 home games against the Cubs.

Writer’s Prediction

Chicago (+108) wins, 5-4.
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