- Matchup: San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs
- Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: ABC
- Betting Odds: San Diego (+125) Chicago (-150)
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The opening game of the NLWC features the San Diego Padres (90-72) visiting Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs (92-70) on Tuesday. The moneyline for this matchup shows the Padres at +100 and the Cubs debuting at -108. The total runs line is established at 7, with Nick Pivetta and Shota Imanaga set to take the mound.
The San Diego Padres are averaging 4.3 runs per game, placing them 18th in the league. They have recorded 702 total runs with an on-base percentage of .321. This team has hit 254 doubles and launched 152 home runs, securing 663 RBIs and 1,369 hits this season, amassing a batting average of .252. The Padres hold a slugging percentage of .390, albeit with 1,161 strikeouts and 510 walks drawn.
Currently, the Padres boast an impressive team earned run average of 3.63—ranking 3rd across MLB. Their pitching staff has tallied 1,425 strikeouts and allowed 178 home runs and 621 runs overall (2nd in MLB). Collectively, they have walked 535 batters this season, concluding with a FIP of 4.02. With 1,197 hits allowed (averaging 7.5 per nine innings) and 578 earned runs, their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.66, complemented by a collective WHIP of 1.21.
This year, the Padres have dispatched 577 relief pitchers, with 263 inherited base runners—29.3% of whom have scored. The bullpen has recorded 49 saves, facing 65 save opportunities, translating to a save rate of 75.4%. With 104 holds (7th in the league), Padres pitchers have entered 185 games with runners on base and participated in 209 high-pressure situations.
At this point in the season, San Diego has achieved 4,299 putouts, 1,234 assists, and 74 errors, resulting in a fielding percentage of .987, ranking 9th in professional baseball. They have successfully turned 117 double plays, with 71.7% of balls in play being converted to outs over 12,897 innings—placing them 3rd in the league defensively.
Nick Pivetta has pitched 1,210 innings during his MLB career, notching 1,329 strikeouts. With a career record of 69-76, he holds a 4.41 FIP against 5,107 batters faced. His ERA stands at 4.48 (602 earned runs), with a WHIP of 1.267. Pivetta has allowed 1,107 hits (8.2 hits per nine innings) and issued 427 walks.
The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, have an on-base percentage of .320 and a batting average of .249 this season. With 1,277 strikeouts (25th in the league) and 1,371 total hits, they have contributed 223 home runs and 771 RBIs. Chicago’s slugging percentage sits at .430, averaging 4.90 runs per game (5th in MLB) while tallying 267 doubles and 793 total runs scored.
This season, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 649 runs, maintaining a team ERA of 3.79 (605 earned runs). They have surrendered 202 home runs, yielding 4.07 runs per nine innings (8th overall). The Cubs’ WHIP stands at 1.177, combined with a FIP of 4.16. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is an impressive 7.90, achieving 1,265 strikeouts against 405 walks, ranking them 10th in total hits allowed with 1,284.
With 177 save opportunities, the Cubs’ bullpen has secured 110 holds while facing 20 blown saves. In save situations, they have sent pitchers to the mound 64 times, resulting in 44 successful saves. The relievers have been pivotal, with 158 high-leverage appearances and 101 instances with runners on base. Presently, the bullpen ranks 4th in the league, boasting a 68.8% save rate and deploying 523 relievers this season.
The Chicago Cubs have formed 117 double plays and achieved a fielding percentage of .989 (4th in MLB). They have recorded 1,342 assists, made 61 errors, and completed 4,305 putouts in this season. Over 12,915 innings, the Cubs maintain a defensive proficiency of 71.9%, ranking 2nd in professional baseball.
In his MLB career, Imanaga has permitted 266 hits, culminating in 291 strikeouts over 317 innings pitched. Boasting a career record of 24-11, his ERA is 3.29, allowing 7.5 hits per nine innings. He has given up 116 earned runs, holding a WHIP of 1.009 and a FIP of 3.2, with an impressive K/BB ratio of 5.39 against 1,261 batters faced.
Who will take the victory in tonight’s MLB game against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Opt for Chicago (-150)
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