The rivalry between the Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats stretches across several decades in Major League Baseball history. These two teams have had competitive matchups, especially in recent years as both franchises invest in young talent and power hitters. When looking at their head-to-head record, the Cubs have traditionally held a slight edge, but the momentum often shifts depending on the venue and pitching rotations.
As of the 2025 season, the Cubs and Padres have faced each other over 800 times in total, with the Cubs narrowly leading in overall wins. However, the Padres have become more aggressive offensively, especially in home games at Petco Park. In contrast, the Cubs show more balance when playing at Wrigley Field, known for its wind-affected conditions that sometimes turn fly balls into homers.
Let’s take a look at some all-time stats and trends:
| Category | Cubs | Padres |
|---|---|---|
| Total Games Played | 835 | 835 |
| Cubs Wins | 438 | – |
| Padres Wins | 397 | – |
| Average Runs/Game (Last 10) | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Largest Win (All Time) | 14–0 (1987) | 13–1 (2009) |
| Most Recent Series Result | Cubs 2–1 | – |
These stats reflect a close but competitive relationship. While Chicago leads historically, the Padres have closed the gap in recent years thanks to hitters like Fernando Tatis Jr. and improved pitching depth. Cubs, on the other hand, continue to develop homegrown talent like Pete Crow-Armstrong and dominate with smart bullpen management.
“Every time the Cubs and Padres meet, it’s a battle of youth vs power.” – MLB Analyst Joe Davis
Both fanbases are passionate, and this rivalry could intensify even more in coming seasons. The evolution of stats in this matchup highlights just how important both form and game context are in predicting outcomes.
Table of Contents
Recent Match Recap: Key Games and Player Standouts
In the 2025 MLB season, the Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats have given fans several memorable moments. Both teams showcased elite hitting, sharp pitching, and high-pressure late-game drama. Let’s break down the most recent matchups and the standout performances that shaped the series outcomes.
April 4, 2025 – Cubs 3–1 Padres: Imanaga Shines
The opening game of the early April series at Wrigley Field was a pitcher’s duel dominated by Shōta Imanaga, who threw 7⅓ innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run. He struck out 4 and walked none, setting the tone early.
Meanwhile, Randy Vásquez struggled with control for the Padres, walking five in under 5 innings. The Cubs capitalized on mistakes, scoring three runs with smart base-running and timely hits by Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner.
“Imanaga’s control was laser-sharp. He made good hitters look average.” – MLB Tonight
April 5, 2025 – Cubs 7–1 Padres: Offensive Explosion
Matthew Boyd pitched a gem for the Cubs, allowing just one run over 6 innings. The offense backed him up with two home runs — one each from Dansby Swanson and Carson Kelly. The Padres’ offense was held to just 3 hits.
Notably, Pete Crow-Armstrong had a multi-hit game, and Cody Bellinger added a double and a stolen base. The Cubs’ aggressive base-running and clutch hitting overwhelmed the Padres’ bullpen.
April 6, 2025 – Padres 8–7 Cubs: Comeback Victory
In the third game, the Padres avoided a sweep in dramatic fashion. After trailing for most of the game, San Diego rallied late thanks to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez, both of whom recorded RBIs in the 8th inning. The winning run came on a Cubs throwing error in the bottom of the 9th.
Closer Josh Hader sealed the win for the Padres despite allowing a leadoff walk. This game displayed the Padres’ offensive resilience and their ability to capitalize on defensive lapses.
April 14–16, 2025 – Padres Sweep at Petco Park
San Diego dominated the next series at home:
- April 14: Padres 10–4 Cubs – Tatis Jr. hit two homers; the bullpen held strong as Chicago struggled to contain San Diego’s middle order.
- April 15: Padres 6–5 Cubs – Walk-off win after a late rally. Machado with a clutch 2-run single.
- April 16: Padres 4–2 Cubs – Nick Pivetta delivered a quality start and Ryan Pressly closed it out with a clean save.
This sweep showed a big shift in momentum as the Padres’ home-field advantage came into full effect. Key Cubs like Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom struggled to generate offense against improved Padres pitching.
Player-by-Player Stats – Padres vs Cubs Showdown
Breaking down individual performances helps highlight which stars made the difference in the Padres vs Cubs clashes.
Padres Offensive Leaders
| Player | Games | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | 5 | 4 | 8 | .368 | .421 |
| Manny Machado | 5 | 1 | 5 | .300 | .333 |
| Luis Arraez | 5 | 0 | 4 | .320 | .375 |
Fernando Tatis Jr. was the undisputed star for the Padres. His bat was electric, especially at Petco Park where he hit multiple home runs and drove in key runs. His base-stealing threat and outfield defense added value on both sides of the ball.
Manny Machado came alive in clutch moments, delivering a game-winning RBI single and several key sacrifices. Luis Arraez served as a contact-hitting machine, setting up big innings with multi-hit games.
Cubs Offensive Impact
| Player | Games | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansby Swanson | 5 | 2 | 5 | .294 | .946 |
| Carson Kelly | 3 | 1 | 3 | .400 | 1.100 |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 4 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .750 |
The Cubs saw a strong showing from Swanson, who delivered both power and leadership at shortstop. Carson Kelly, in limited appearances, hit one of the longest home runs of the series.
Rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong impressed with consistent contact and plate discipline, showing the Cubs may have a future star in development.
Starting Pitchers Analysis
| Pitcher | Team | Games | ERA | K | BB | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shōta Imanaga | Cubs | 1 | 1.22 | 4 | 0 | 0.80 |
| Nick Pivetta | Padres | 1 | 2.35 | 6 | 1 | 1.00 |
| Matthew Boyd | Cubs | 1 | 1.50 | 7 | 2 | 0.90 |
| Randy Vásquez | Padres | 1 | 4.85 | 2 | 5 | 1.70 |
Both teams saw standout starts, especially from Imanaga and Boyd, whose precision and strike-throwing limited Padres scoring. For San Diego, Pivetta’s rebound start in the final game was crucial in preventing a sweep.
Bullpen Performances & Saves
| Reliever | Team | Saves | ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Pressly | Padres | 2 | 0.00 | Shut down Cubs twice late |
| Josh Hader | Padres | 1 | 1.00 | Closed key comeback win |
| Yency Almonte | Cubs | 0 | 3.45 | Allowed key runs vs Tatis Jr. |
| Mark Leiter Jr. | Cubs | 0 | 5.00 | Gave up go-ahead hit to Arraez |
San Diego’s bullpen clearly outperformed Chicago’s, especially with Pressly locking down saves and Hader holding off threats in tense moments.
Statistical Trends & Metrics in Padres vs Cubs Games
When analyzing Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats, trends often provide deeper insights than just box scores. Understanding how each team performs over time, in different settings, and under varying conditions can help fans, analysts, and bettors make better predictions.
Over their recent encounters in 2025, several patterns emerged:
Run Production Trends
- Padres averaged 6.2 runs per game during their home series at Petco Park.
- Cubs averaged 4.1 runs per game overall, but just 2.7 runs per game on the road.
- The over/under line (usually set around 8.5 runs) was exceeded in 4 of the last 6 matchups.
This suggests that Padres games against the Cubs tend to become more offensive when played in San Diego, where warm weather and deep lineups combine to push run totals higher.
Pitching & Bullpen Effectiveness
- Cubs’ starters had a collective ERA of 2.85 during the series at Wrigley, but that ballooned to 5.40 during the road trip in San Diego.
- Padres’ relievers recorded a combined WHIP under 1.10, signaling excellent control and run prevention late in games.
Fielding & Defensive Errors
- Cubs committed 3 critical errors during the series, 2 of which led directly to Padres comeback wins.
- Padres turned 5 double plays, including 2 game-ending ones.
These metrics reveal that San Diego capitalized on defensive mistakes while maintaining tighter control themselves. The Cubs, despite having one of the league’s more athletic defenses, struggled with pressure moments on the road.
Advanced Metrics: WAR, OPS, ERA+ in This Rivalry
Advanced stats offer a more complete picture of player contributions in the Padres vs Cubs matchups. These numbers tell us which players not only performed well in isolation but added real win value to their teams.
Padres WAR Leaders in Series
| Player | WAR (Series) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | 0.9 | 4 HR, clutch hits, elite base-running |
| Manny Machado | 0.6 | Run-producing machine, solid defense |
| Nick Pivetta | 0.4 | Quality start, limited hard contact |
Tatis Jr.’s contributions were MVP-level, especially when considering his wRC+ of 182 across the series. His power-speed combo made him a nightmare for Cubs pitchers.
Cubs WAR Leaders in Series
| Player | WAR (Series) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dansby Swanson | 0.7 | 2 HR, stable glove at shortstop |
| Matthew Boyd | 0.5 | Dominant start with high strikeout rate |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 0.4 | Contact-heavy hitting, OBP over .400 |
OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) is another stat that showed impact:
- Tatis Jr.: 1.310 OPS
- Carson Kelly: 1.100 OPS (limited appearances)
- Swanson: .946 OPS
On the pitching side, ERA+ (which adjusts ERA for park factors) showed:
- Boyd: 158 ERA+
- Imanaga: 165 ERA+
- Vásquez: 82 ERA+ (struggled with walks)
These metrics highlight not only who got hits or outs, but how valuable those contributions were relative to league and ballpark conditions.
What Fans and Analysts Ask: FAQs on Padres vs Cubs Stats
Who was the best hitter in recent Padres vs Cubs games?
Fernando Tatis Jr. clearly stood out, with 4 home runs, 8 RBIs, and a .368 average. His ability to hit both fastballs and breaking balls made him the biggest offensive threat on either side.
Which Cubs player had the most impact in the series?
Dansby Swanson hit two clutch home runs and made several defensive stops at shortstop. His all-around play made him the Cubs’ most valuable contributor in the series.
What pitcher dominated the Padres vs Cubs series?
Shōta Imanaga was lights-out in his start, allowing just 1 run and zero walks. His fastball placement and changeup location made it hard for Padres hitters to adjust.
Did bullpens play a big role in game outcomes?
Yes. The Padres bullpen was more consistent, closing multiple games effectively. Cubs bullpen allowed leads to slip, especially in late innings of Game 3 and Game 6.
Who’s winning the head-to-head this season?
The series is fairly even in 2025. Cubs took early wins at home, but the Padres swept their home series in San Diego, leading the season series 4–3 so far.
How to Use These Player Stats (Insights & Betting)
If you’re a fantasy baseball player, sports bettor, or just a stat geek, understanding Padres vs Cubs player stats can give you an edge.
Fantasy Baseball Strategy
- Target Tatis Jr., Swanson, and Crow-Armstrong for matchups against weak pitching.
- Pitchers like Imanaga and Boyd offer consistent WHIP and ERA metrics.
Betting Analysis
- Bet overs when the game is at Petco Park and Padres are hot.
- Lean unders at Wrigley Field with pitchers like Imanaga starting.
- Props for Tatis HR or Swanson RBIs are valuable based on trends.
“Looking at recent splits and home-road trends, the Padres are one of the most profitable teams at home for prop bettors.” – BetQL Report
Conclusion – Recap of Padres vs Chicago Cubs Match Player Stats
This 2025 series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs gave fans everything: dominant pitching, clutch home runs, and dramatic finishes. The Padres’ offensive power at home, especially from Tatis and Machado, matched up against the Cubs’ strategic bullpen use and reliable starters like Imanaga.
While both teams had their moments, it’s clear the Padres found their rhythm in the second half of the series, leveraging home advantage and capitalizing on Cubs’ errors. The rivalry remains close statistically, and each matchup continues to reveal new standout performers.
With the season still in full swing, the Padres vs Cubs stats will only grow in significance for standings, playoff implications, and fantasy matchups.
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