San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs Prediction: Padres expected to dominate again

The San Diego Padres are set to face the Chicago Cubs in a spring training matchup on Monday at the Peoria Sports Complex. Both teams enter the game on the back of a win in their last spring training outing. Which side will maintain its momentum in this upcoming matchup?

The San Diego Padres have shown commendable performance in spring training, particularly shining on the road. Their record against the Chicago Cubs in the 2023 regular season was 3-4, but they notably shut out the Cubs twice during those matchups. This trend continued last week in the Cactus League when they met again. José Azocar, the center fielder, is making a significant impact for the Padres. Although he has seen limited action in the majors over the past couple of seasons, the departure of Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees has opened up an outfield spot, and Azocar is making a compelling case to secure that position.

The Chicago Cubs have experienced a similar start to the San Diego Padres, maintaining a balanced record of wins and losses. They have demonstrated proficiency in hitting with a solid average and strategic base stealing. Notably, the Cubs are boosted by securing two victories over the Chicago White Sox. David Bote, although having only three hits from 13 at-bats, has made a significant impact by sending two of those hits out of the yard, accumulating five RBIs in the process. Despite an impressive spring training in 2023, Bote faced a series of injuries, preventing him from making any appearances with the big club. With better fortune, he could play a substantial role for the team this year.

Both the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs have been hovering around the .500 mark in spring training, showcasing glimpses of quality from both sides. Statistically, both teams fall within the middle range. Although they have experienced ups and downs, the San Diego Padres notably secured a convincing 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs last week. Despite a slightly less impressive performance at home compared to their away games, the Padres are anticipated to clinch another victory on their home turf.