The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field on April 5, 2025, carrying a respectable 6-4 record into an early-season litmus test against the red-hot San Diego Padres. After a promising start to the year that included a hard-fought series win over the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs now face a new challenge: cooling off an undefeated Padres squad that has been firing on all cylinders. While the Cubs have not been flawless, they’ve shown resilience and adaptability, traits that will be critical as they prepare to host one of the league’s most balanced and dangerous teams. Playing at Wrigley provides an additional boost, as the Cubs have long used their iconic home field as a source of energy and grit—qualities that will be vital in halting San Diego’s momentum. On the mound for Chicago is veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd, a crafty southpaw known for his ability to mix pitches and generate swings and misses. Boyd’s success has traditionally come from keeping hitters off balance rather than overpowering them, and his command will be tested against a Padres lineup that thrives on punishing mistakes. In his first start of the season, Boyd showed flashes of the pitcher who once anchored Detroit’s rotation—working through five innings with solid strikeout totals and minimal hard contact. However, he’ll need to be at his sharpest against the Padres, who are capable of jumping on early-count fastballs and extending innings with timely hitting. If Boyd can locate his breaking stuff early and get ahead in counts, he’ll give Chicago a real chance to neutralize the Padres’ top bats.

The bullpen, meanwhile, will be counted on heavily if the game stays close into the later innings. Key arms like Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, and Mark Leiter Jr. will need to be sharp against San Diego’s aggressive late-inning approach. Offensively, the Cubs bring a deep and capable lineup to the plate, though they’ve been somewhat inconsistent in capitalizing on run-scoring opportunities. Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki have been reliable sparks at the top of the order, setting the table with quality at-bats and solid contact. Christopher Morel continues to offer game-changing pop in the middle of the lineup, while Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger—when healthy—provide left-handed threats capable of flipping momentum with one swing. The challenge will be piecing together sustained offense against Padres starter Nick Pivetta, who is coming off a masterful start. Chicago’s best path to success lies in grinding out long at-bats, making Pivetta work deep into counts, and creating traffic on the bases to force pressure situations. If the Cubs can manufacture early runs and put the Padres on the defensive, it could shift the tone of the entire game. Defensively, the Cubs have been solid so far this season, avoiding costly errors and maintaining good infield chemistry—especially between Swanson and Nico Hoerner up the middle. Outfield defense has also been a strong point, with Suzuki and Happ covering ground effectively and limiting extra bases. As they prepare to take on San Diego, the Cubs understand that defensive precision will be crucial to complement their pitching and limit big innings. This game will serve as an early barometer for Chicago’s ability to compete with elite teams. If they can match the Padres pitch for pitch, maintain discipline at the plate, and execute in key moments, the Cubs have the tools to hand San Diego their first loss and make a statement of their own in front of a packed Wrigley crowd.