Game: (953) San Diego Padres vs. (954) Chicago Cubs (WGN TV 2:20)
Selection: San Diego Padres
Reason: With a lame duck coach, and the trading of star hitter Derek Lee to Atlanta, the Cubs have tossed in the towel. The downward spiral is at 4-17. The Padres are headed the opposite direction, putting plenty of daylight between themselves and the Giants with a recent 9-1 mark. They have allowed less than or equal to 2 runs in 9 of their last 13 games. This line would be a lot higher if it were a "name" team like the Yankees. But the Padres continue to fly under the radar despite being 25 games over .500 and posting a 36-25 road record. Their bullpen has a 2.80 ERA, which is the best in baseball and far superior to that of the Cubs. Underrated starter Latos has a 2.32 ERA for the year and has allowed less than or equal to two runs in his last 11 starts and 17 of his last 18 starts. Play the Padres this afternoon.
Selection: San Diego Padres
Reason: With a lame duck coach, and the trading of star hitter Derek Lee to Atlanta, the Cubs have tossed in the towel. The downward spiral is at 4-17. The Padres are headed the opposite direction, putting plenty of daylight between themselves and the Giants with a recent 9-1 mark. They have allowed less than or equal to 2 runs in 9 of their last 13 games. This line would be a lot higher if it were a "name" team like the Yankees. But the Padres continue to fly under the radar despite being 25 games over .500 and posting a 36-25 road record. Their bullpen has a 2.80 ERA, which is the best in baseball and far superior to that of the Cubs. Underrated starter Latos has a 2.32 ERA for the year and has allowed less than or equal to two runs in his last 11 starts and 17 of his last 18 starts. Play the Padres this afternoon.
