Cubs @ Padres – Series Preview (May 29-June 1): TV and Game Info, Pitching Matchups, Insights
After a three-game sweep at the hand of the Dodgers, the Cubs once again find themselves hovering around the break-even point. Now at 25-24 for the season, fans are starting to ask: Is it time to panic?
The answer to that is “Of course not.” Well, not yet anyway. The Cubs have not looked great so far this season, the starting pitching has struggled, and the offense has been inconsistent at best. Despite not really clicking yet, the Northsiders are still a game over .500 and only 1.5 games out of first in the NL Central.
The Brewers are on the upswing, but they shouldn’t really be a concern until next season. The Cardinals have hit a funk of their own recently and the Cubs will get hot and tear off winning streak at some point. Even the worst teams get hot for a couple weeks.
Speaking of the worst teams, the Cubs are beginning a three-game series with the San Diego Padres, who enter the series with a 19-33 record on the season and 14 games out of first in a talented NL West. Their .217 team batting average ranks dead last in baseball and their 4.81 team ERA ranks 28th. Champ Kind wouldn’t need to use many “Whammies!” with this squad.
The Cubs need to take advantage of the rebuilding Friars. After the wipeout at Chavez Ravine, getting healthy in San Diego is important. No need to stay classy this series, time to go for the kill.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Monday, May 29 at 3:40 CT on ABC-7
- Tuesday, May 30 at 9:10 CT on CSN-C+
- Wednesday, June 1 at 2:40 CT on WGN
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | K/BB |
| 5/29 | Kyle Hendricks | 27 | R | 3.25 | 4-2 | 2.39 |
| Jarred Cosart | 27 | R | 4.50 | 0-1 | 0.73 | |
| 5/30 | Eddie Butler | 26 | R | 1.93 | 2-0 | 0.90 |
| Dinelson Lamet | 24 | R | 1.81 | 1-0 | 4.00 | |
| 6/1 | Jake Arrieta | 31 | R | 4.92 | 5-4 | 4.27 |
| Luis Perdomo | 22 | R | 5.61 | 0-2 | 3.23 |
What To Watch For
- Anthony Rizzo has hit .304 with 4 homers the last week for the Cubs. A scuffling Chicago offense could really use that power surge to continue from their big first baseman.
- Javy Baez is batting a cool .417 the past week, including a towering home run off Clayton Kershaw Sunday. With Ben Zobrist nursing a sore wrist, Javy may see some more time in the leadoff spot.
- Padres third baseman Ryan Schimpf is having a three-true-outcome year Adam Dunn would be proud of. He is batting an anemic .163 on the season, but has 13 longballs and 98 of his 172 plate appearances (57%) have ended in either a walk, a strikeout, or a home run.
- Jake Arrieta had another disappointing start Friday in Los Angeles. He had nasty stuff, but two more home runs allowed were his undoing. He has allowed 10 bombs already this season, equaling his entire 2015 total. A game in spacious Petco Park against a weak Padres lineup is a good chance for Arrieta to regain some confidence.