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San Diego (43-39) at Chi. Cubs (46-38)
- When: Jun 29 2026, 8:05 PM
- Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
- TV: SDPA
San Diego vs Chi. Cubs MLB Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Chi. Cubs -157
Runline: Chi. Cubs -1.5 (+130)
Total: 11.0
Welcome to Wrigley Field, where the Cubs are somehow winning games with what appears to be a bullpen assembled from a neighborhood group chat. Chicago enters as a -157 moneyline favorite, laying -1.5 (+130) with a lofty 11.0-run total. Apparently, scoring runs is easier than finding healthy pitchers these days.
Chicago Cubs: Winning With Duct Tape and Determination
Craig Counsell deserves a standing ovation—or at least unlimited coffee. Chicago survived a brutal road trip by using 13 different relievers across seven games while sweeping the Mets and taking two of three from Milwaukee. At this point, if you own a glove and know where first base is, you might get a call to pitch.
Bryse Wilson played the unlikely hero with 4 1/3 scoreless innings, Ryan Rolison handled opener duties, and Jordan Wicks slammed the door with a game-ending double play. Even with 12 pitchers on the injured list, including an entire starting rotation, the Cubs keep finding ways to win. Baseball is weird, and Chicago is embracing every minute of it.
Shota Imanaga (5-6, 4.40 ERA) gets the ball after defeating the Mets in his last outing. Even better, he’s dominated San Diego throughout his career, posting a 1.40 ERA in three appearances.
San Diego Padres: Somebody Please Save the Bullpen
The Padres arrive after dropping their series finale to the Dodgers, who treated San Diego’s pitching staff like batting practice over the final two games. Nothing ruins a weekend faster than watching your bullpen warm up before the second inning.
Whether it’s Griffin Canning (1-5, 7.38 ERA) or another starter, San Diego desperately needs length. Canning lasted only two outs in his most recent outing after surrendering four runs almost before fans had finished buying nachos.
Manager Craig Stammen has watched his bullpen absorb inning after inning this season because starters rarely survive deep into games. The good news? Relief pitchers are getting plenty of exercise. The bad news? They’re probably tired of seeing each other.
Help could soon arrive with Jhony Brito and German Marquez nearing the end of their rehab assignments, but that won’t solve Monday night’s challenge.
LVSB’s Betting Take
Chicago has all the momentum, while San Diego’s rotation feels like it’s balancing on a folding chair. If Imanaga delivers another solid outing, the Cubs should stay in control from the middle innings onward.
If Chicago wins with another bullpen parade, Craig Counsell deserves a frequent-pitcher rewards card.
Final Score: Cubs 7, Padres 5
Lean: Chi. Cubs Runline -1.5 (+130)
Total: Over 11.0 (-110)
- MLB Baseball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
