Padres at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs seem to have made good use of the rest during the All-Star break and look to continue their surge when they host the struggling San Diego Padres on Saturday afternoon for the second of a three-game set. The Cubs lost eight of 12 games before the break, but have won six of seven since after pulling out a 6-5 victory over San Diego in the series opener Friday.
Anthony Rizzo led the way with his fourth career grand slam in Friday’s victory and has hit safely in 10 straight contests for Chicago, going 17-for-35 with nine RBIs during the streak, while Javier Baez also launched his team-leading 23rd homer. Veteran Jose Quintana will try to continue his revival when he takes the mound for the Cubs on Saturday and the Padres will counter with fellow left-hander Joey Lucchesi, who is also on the upswing of late. San Diego has been going in the opposite direction of late, losing six of seven after going into the All-Star break with three straight victories over the National League-best Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny Machado had two hits, including his 24th homer, in Friday’s loss and teammate Eric Hosmer is 8-for-23 during a five-game hitting streak after recording a pair of singles in the setback.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (7-4, 3.92 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (7-7, 4.21)
Lucchesi is unbeaten in his last five outings with a 3.45 ERA during that stretch, including five innings of two-run ball in a no-decision Saturday against Atlanta. The 26-year-old California native can match his win total from last year in his 19th start after going 4-1 since May 24. Baez has a homer and a double in three at-bats versus Lucchesi, who gave up three runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs in 2018.
Quintana has strung together three straight victories, allowing six runs combined over 19 innings, after going winless in his previous nine trips to the mound. The 30-year-old Colombian limited Pittsburgh to three runs on six hits and two walks across six innings in an 8-3 win last Sunday in his first start after the All-Star break. Ian Kinsler is 15-for-48 with two homers against Quintana, who is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts versus San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego CF Manuel Margot had two hits Friday and is 8-for-16 with a homer and two RBIs in his last four games.
2. The Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the injured list Friday and LHP Randy Rosario was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
3. The Padres are 25-18 against teams over .500 and 21-33 versus opponents under .500 this season.