On the afternoon of May 8, 2024, at 2:20 PM, an exciting Major League Baseball game is set to take place at Wrigley Field, where the San Diego Padres will go head-to-head with the Chicago Cubs under a clear sky. Dylan Cease, with an impressive 2.551 ERA, will step up to the plate for the Padres, while Hayden Wesneski, sporting a stellar 0.540 ERA, will pitch for the Cubs.

As of now, the Padres are positioned 13th in the NL West Division with a record of 14-18, reflecting a 0.44 winning percentage. They are 4th in their division based on their 8-8 record in divisional games. Despite a tough recent stretch with 3 wins in their last 10 games and a current 5-game losing streak, they maintain a mixed bag of results with 6 wins at home and 8 on the road. The team has managed 151 runs scored against 157 runs allowed.

Conversely, the Cubs are faring better in the NL Central, placed 4th with an 18-11 record and a 0.62 winning percentage. They top their division in games played, holding a neutral record in division matchups. Their recent form is more positive, having won 6 out of their last 10 games and coming off a recent win. They show strength both at home (10-3) and have an even 8-8 record on the road, with an equitable distribution of wins during day and night games, scoring 147 runs and conceding 131.

Regarding betting odds for this matchup, the Cubs seem slightly favored at home with a betting line offering a 1.5 point spread and an over/under set at 8.5. The money line for the Padres stands at -125 indicating a slight edge over the Cubs, who are at 105. This suggests a tight contest, hinting that it could be anyone’s game with potentially close scores. Betting enthusiasts and fans alike could anticipate a closely fought battle with these odds.