NEWSLETTER
Cubs vs Padres — I didn’t realize it because of the homestand, but the Cubs play only West Coast (division) teams from Opening Day through April 17. They went 6-3 through their first nine games, and now they’re headed out west to take on the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks in that order. And that means we have late-night games from now until next Tuesday (six of the next nine games start at 8:40pm CT or later … I hate it).
Javier Assad and Kyle Hendricks are slated to bookend this Padres series, with the middle game still TBD. It’ll likely be Ben Brown for the bulk work again, but it really all depends on what happens tonight. Maybe Drew Smyly gets the nod tomorrow instead, maybe there’s an opener. I really don’t know.
On the flip side, the Cubs will have to face a trio of tough starters in Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Dylan Cease (oh yeah, he’s on the Padres now). So that’s not great. West Coast trips are hard enough, but squaring up against those pitchers with your 6th starter, a bullpen game, and 2024 Kyle Hendricks is not ideal.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though, because after this road trip, the Cubs come back home to play four games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field.
But it’s right back into the gauntlet after that, with three games against the Astros and three more against the Red Sox, who are playing well. The Cubs won’t play an NL Central team until the Brewers come to Wrigley Field on May 3.
Cubs vs Padres – Pitching Probables:
Game 1:Â Monday, April 8 at 8:40 CT at Petco Park
Broadcast Info:Â Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
Game 2:Â Tuesday, April 9 at 9:05 CT at Petco Park
Broadcast Info:Â Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
Game 3:Â Wednesday, April 10 at 5:40 CT at Petco Park
Broadcast Info:Â Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
