Chicago @ San Diego Picks & Props

Petco Park grades out as the #27 ballpark in MLB for RHB batting average, per THE BAT projection system. Petco Park's altitude is near sea-level, one of the lowest among all parks, which tends to lead to less offense. The weather forecast the 4th-most favorable pitching conditions on the schedule today, as it relates to temperature and humidity. Yu Darvish will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Nico Hoerner today. The San Diego Padres infield defense projects as the best of all teams on the slate.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Trent Grisham has a strong chance of never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Trent Grisham will possess the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to boost all of his stats. Trent Grisham has seen a big improvement in his exit velocity in recent games; just compare his 93.6-mph average in the past week to his seasonal 91.6-mph average.

Matt Mervis will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Yu Darvish in today's game. Matt Mervis hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (39% — 88th percentile) and is fortunate to face the league's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. Matt Mervis has seen a notable gain in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 98.7-mph average in the past 14 days to his seasonal figure of 95.5-mph. Matt Mervis's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased recently, rising from 15% on the season to 20% in the past two weeks. Matt Mervis has been hot of late, notching a a 13.3% Barrel% (an advanced stat to measure power) over the last 14 days.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Mike Tauchman will have the handedness advantage against Yu Darvish in today's game. Mike Tauchman has been hot of late, putting up a .387 wOBA in the past 14 days. Mike Tauchman has been zeroed in on the ideal launch angle for home runs of late, lifting balls between 23° and 34° 30.8% of the time over the last 7 days.

THE BAT X projects Jake Cronenworth in the 83rd percentile when estimating his overall offensive ability. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Jake Cronenworth can likely count on never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. Jake Cronenworth hits many of his flyballs to center field (38.2% — 76th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards the game's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Jake Cronenworth will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to boost all of his stats.

THE BAT X projects Seiya Suzuki in the 95th percentile when assessing his overall offensive talent. Seiya Suzuki is projected to hit 4th in the batting order in this game. Seiya Suzuki hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (38.9% — 86th percentile) and is fortunate to face the league's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. Seiya Suzuki has made notable strides with his Barrel% of late, bettering his 10.1% seasonal rate to 25% in the past week's worth of games. Seiya Suzuki has seen a big increase in his exit velocity lately; just compare his 96.5-mph average over the past 7 days to his seasonal 92.2-mph mark.

THE BAT X projects Ian Happ in the 80th percentile when it comes to his overall offensive talent. Ian Happ is projected to bat 3rd in the batting order today. Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. The switch-hitting Ian Happ will get to bat from his good side (0) today against Yu Darvish. Ian Happ's launch angle of late (20.9° in the last two weeks) is a significant increase over his 13.8° seasonal angle.

THE BAT X projects Miles Mastrobuoni in the 78th percentile when assessing his BABIP talent. Miles Mastrobuoni has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this season (83% of the time), but he is penciled in 1st in the lineup today. Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Miles Mastrobuoni will hold the platoon advantage against Yu Darvish in today's game.

Juan Soto projects as the 3rd-best batter in Major League Baseball, per THE BAT X. Juan Soto is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this matchup. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Juan Soto has a strong chance of holding the platoon advantage against every reliever all game. Juan Soto hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39% — 88th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards the game's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's game. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate.

THE BAT X projects Manny Machado in the 93rd percentile when assessing his overall offensive ability. Manny Machado is penciled in 4th in the lineup in this matchup. Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Manny Machado will hold the platoon advantage over Drew Smyly today. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Tucker Barnhart will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Yu Darvish in today's matchup.

THE BAT X projects Xander Bogaerts in the 95th percentile when assessing his batting average talent. Xander Bogaerts is projected to bat 1st in the lineup in this matchup. Xander Bogaerts will hold the platoon advantage over Drew Smyly today. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Xander Bogaerts will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to boost all of his stats.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks.

Gary Sanchez has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this year (100% of the time), but he is projected to hit 5th in the batting order in this game. Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Gary Sanchez will hold the platoon advantage over Drew Smyly in today's game. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Gary Sanchez will benefit from the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to bolster all of his stats.

THE BAT X projects Dansby Swanson in the 91st percentile when estimating his overall offensive ability. Dansby Swanson is projected to hit 5th in the lineup in this game. Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Dansby Swanson has made significant strides with his Barrel% of late, upping his 14% seasonal rate to 20% over the past 14 days. Dansby Swanson has seen a sizeable improvement in his exit velocity on flyballs in recent games; just compare his 99.9-mph average in the last two weeks' worth of games to his seasonal average of 96.3-mph.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Austin Nola will have the handedness advantage over Drew Smyly in today's matchup. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Austin Nola will possess the home field advantage in today's game, which should improve all of his stats.

Petco Park has the 2nd-shallowest centerfield fences among all parks. Edwin Rios will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Yu Darvish today.

Brandon Dixon will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Drew Smyly today. Brandon Dixon hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (38.2% — 76th percentile) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting towards the game's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's game. The Chicago Cubs outfield defense projects as the 3rd-worst on the slate. Brandon Dixon will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Brandon Dixon has hit one of the hardest balls in the game in the last two weeks — 111-mph — which is a favorable measure of recent form and raw power.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has gone over 1.5 in 2 of his last 10 games.

Jose Azocar has gone over 0.5 in 3 of his last 10 games.