There’s afternoon baseball at Wrigley Field, and the Chicago Cubs will look to make it four wins in a row by topping the visiting San Diego Padres on Friday, April 4.
Chicago sends go-to lefty Shota Imanaga to the hill while San Diego counters with Randy Vasquez.
My top Padres vs. Cubs predictions are calling for the North Siders to send Vasquez to the showers early and improve to 6-4 for the year this afternoon.
Read on for my MLB Picks for Friday, April 4.
Padres vs Cubs prediction
My Padres vs Cubs best bet: Randy Vasquez Under 3.5 Strikeouts Thrown (+125 at bet365)
San Diego Padres Randy Vasquez pitched six scoreless innings and allowed four hits and four walks to the Atlanta Braves in his 2025 debut, with his 6.28 xFIP a more accurate depiction of his good fortune.
Plus, cooling the Braves now looks a lot easier than it did leading into that start.
He sports a basement-dwelling 5.77 K/9 and 14.8 K% across his 21 career MLB starts, and the Chicago Cubs have both mashed and avoided punchouts to start the year against righties.
Chicago has a middling 21.3 K% and sixth-ranked 11.2 BB% while teeing off for a 10th-ranked .338 wOBA against right-handed arms.
Plus, Vasquez has recorded three or fewer strikeouts in 14 of 21 starts dating back to last season.
Ultimately, though, this is all about the Cubs.
The Chicago lineup has consistently worked the count to drive up pitch counts for opposing starters, and they’ve averaged just 3.71 strikeouts against openers through seven games since returning state side.
And, to double down, Vasquez’s 14.4 K% last year ranked last among the 125 starters with at least 90 innings pitched.
Padres vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Randy Vasquez Under 3.5 strikeouts
Kyle Tucker Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
Cubs moneyline
There’s a huge pitching mismatch in this matchup, with Cubs starter Shota Imanaga picking up where he left off last season and sporting an impressive 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his 31 MLB starts.
On paper, the Friars send out an admirable lineup against southpaws, but they rank below average with a.305 wOBA and .143 ISO dating back to the beginning of the 2024 campaign.
I’m confident in Imanaga holding down the fort -- while Vasquez struggles -- being enough to pave the way for the victory flag to fly in the Windy City this afternoon.
Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Chicago outfielder Kyle Tucker has fit right in with the North Siders.
He’s 12-for-37 with a monster .504 wOBA to start and also sports an elite .378wOBA, .251 ISO, and .363 on-base percentage against righties dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Padres vs Cubs odds
Padres vs Cubs live odds
Padres vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: San Diego (+140) | Chicago (-165)
- Run line: San Diego +1.5 (-160) | Chicago -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-125) | Under 6.5 (+105)
Padres vs Cubs trend
The Chicago Cubs have hit the moneyline in 44 of their last 75 games (+10.85 Units / 11% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Cubs.
How to watch Padres vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Friday, 4-4-2025 |
| First pitch | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | SDPA, Marquee |
| Padres starting pitcher | Randy Vasquez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Shota Imanaga (1-0, 0.82 ERA) |
Padres vs Cubs latest injuries
Padres vs Cubs weather
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
