The San Diego Padres (7-0) and Chicago Cubs (7-4) are set to face off at Wrigley Field on April 6, 2025, with both teams looking to maintain their strong early-season performances. The Padres, fresh off a perfect 7-0 start, have been firing on all cylinders, combining a potent offense with stellar pitching. Offensively, the Padres have been powered by their dynamic stars, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Manny Machado. Tatis Jr., in particular, has been red-hot at the plate, producing consistent power and getting on base at an elite level, while Machado continues to be a rock in the lineup. Merrill, alongside veterans like Austin Nola and Eric Hosmer, adds depth to the Padres’ batting order, making them a difficult team to navigate for opposing pitchers. The Padres’ pitching staff has been exceptional, led by Randy Vásquez and Nick Pivetta. Vásquez has been the ace so far, providing reliable starts with the ability to overpower hitters. Pivetta, in a supporting role, has been effective in his outings, and the Padres’ bullpen has also been superb, allowing just one earned run since Opening Day. This combination of offensive power and dominant pitching has made the Padres one of the most well-rounded teams in the league early on. However, as they take to the road for this matchup against the Cubs, maintaining that consistency will be key. On the other side, the Chicago Cubs have had a strong start with a 7-4 record, but they are still looking for offensive consistency. Players like Nico Hoerner, who leads the team with a .333 batting average, and Patrick Wisdom, who brings power to the middle of the lineup, have been solid contributors.

However, the Cubs need more consistent production from others, especially the likes of Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ, who have yet to fully find their rhythm. The Cubs’ pitching staff, which is typically a strength, has been a mixed bag so far. Ben Brown, who is expected to start for the Cubs, has had some struggles, posting an ERA of 5.87 through his first two starts. Brown has the potential to settle in and become a reliable starter, but he will need to work on limiting walks and keeping hitters off balance to have success against a strong Padres lineup. The Cubs’ bullpen has been solid in spots, but they will need to step up against a high-powered offense like San Diego’s. Manager David Ross will be hoping for better consistency from both the lineup and pitching staff as they face one of the top teams in the league. Wrigley Field provides a home-field advantage for the Cubs, and they will look to capitalize on that to gain some momentum. While the Cubs have been good at home, they will need to raise their game against the Padres, who have yet to lose a game this season. If the Cubs can get a quality start from Brown, find more consistency offensively, and leverage their bullpen effectively, they will have a shot at knocking off the Padres. This game is critical for both teams, as the Padres will look to continue their undefeated streak, while the Cubs aim to establish more consistency and take a step forward in the standings.