San Diego @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2019 ) San Diego 5, Chi. Cubs 6

The Chicago Cubs have risen to the top of the National League Central on the strength of their dominant play at home. They'll try to take another game at Wrigley Field before beginning a stretch filled with road games when they host the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Chicago took the first two games of the set by identical 6-5 scores to run its home record to 36-17 and open a three-game lead in the division. Beginning Monday in San Francisco, the Cubs will play 19 of their next 25 on the road - where they are 18-27. The Padres are losers of seven of eight out of the All-Star break to hinder their chances in the National League wild-card race. San Diego tries to avoid the sweep behind rookie Cal Quantrill, who takes on Kyle Hendricks for Chicago on Sunday.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Cal Quantrill (2-2, 4.21 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 3.46)

Quantrill is coming off the best start of his young career after yielding three hits in six scoreless innings against Atlanta last time out. He is 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA in eight starts, compared to 1-0 with a 1.59 mark in four relief appearances. The 24-year-old will be taking on the Cubs for the first time.

Hendricks will be making his 150th career start and trying to build off a quality outing Monday against Cincinnati. He limited the Reds to two runs and four hits over six frames while striking out five. The California native, who is 0-3 over his last four starts, is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA in eight career starts versus San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres recalled INF Luis Urias from Triple-A El Paso and optioned RHP Gerardo Reyes to El Paso.

2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo was 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Saturday and is 19-for-39 during an 11-game hitting streak.

3. Chicago RHP Craig Kimbrel has six scoreless innings and five saves over his last six appearances.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Padres 4