Padres at Cubs
If the Chicago Cubs are going to build a cushion in the tight National League Central race, the next week would be a prime time to do so. The Cubs begin a stretch of seven straight games against last-place teams when they open a four-game set against the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday.
The Cubs have scuffled a bit coming out of the All-Star break, splitting their past 14 games and watching their division lead – once 3 1/2 games – evaporate. They have a chance to replenish that margin with four against struggling San Diego followed by a three-game set at Kansas City. The Padres have lost seven straight and 14 of their last 16 and have the worst record in the NL by a wide margin. The Cubs scored 23 runs while sweeping the Padres in a three-game series in San Diego from July 13-15.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Robbie Erlin (1-3, 3.47 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (3-4, 4.03)
Erlin will make a spot start in place of the injured Luis Perdomo, and he’ll hope for better results than his previous two starts this season. The 27-year-old has posted a 2.05 ERA in 27 relief appearances, but has been tagged for 12 runs (11 earned) in seven innings across his two starts. Erlin has given up two runs in 4 2/3 innings across three relief appearances against the Cubs.
Montgomery kept his spot in the rotation – at least for the time being – despite the addition of Cole Hamels. The 29-year-old is coming off his rockiest outing since taking over a starting role, though, as he gave up five runs and 12 hits in five innings of a loss at St. Louis last time out. Montgomery is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in four games (two starts) against San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs INF/OF Ben Zobrist (12-for-22) and C Willson Contreras (8-for-22) are riding six-game hitting streaks.
2. Padres 1B Eric Hosmer is 10-for-29 during a season-best eight-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago has homered in a season-high six consecutive games.