MLB Odds: Padres, Cubs conclude series

Afternoon baseball will be on tap Thursday at Wrigley Field when the Chicago Cubs host the NL West-leading San Diego Padres in the finale of a four-game series. The Padres captured the first three games of the set to stretch their lead over second-place San Francisco to a season-best six games.

The Padres opened the series with Monday's 9-5 victory before blanking the Cubs the next day, 1-0 for their 15th shutout of the season. Tuesday's narrow victory lifted San Diego's record in one-run games to 23-16, while the Cubs fell to a dismal 14-30 when the game is decided by the slimmest of margins.

The two wins gave the Padres a 7-1 record in their last eight meetings against the Cubs prior to Wednesday's matchup.

San Diego's chances of taking Thursday's finale should receive a big boost when Mat Latos takes the mound. The 6-fot-6, 225-pound right-hander is 12-5 with a sizzling 2.32 ERA overall and 8-3 with a 2.40 ERA on the road. Additionally, the Padres are 15-7 in Latos' first 22 starts, including 9-2 in his last 11 assignments.

Latos was not involved in the decision during his most recent start last Saturday at San Francisco as a 115 road favorite. The 22-year-old limited the Giants to just one run on five hits through six innings spanning 108 pitches. The Virginia native did not walk anybody and fanned 10 Giants.

Latos has now allowed two runs or less in 11 consecutive starting assignments and has tossed six innings or more in 15 of his last 18 starts. The ‘under' is 9-4 in Latos' last 13 overall appearances and 9-5 in his last 14 road outings.

The Cubs will counter with Carlos Zambrano, who will try to improve on his 4-6 record and 5.27 ERA. The hot-headed right-hander will be making his third start after being banished to the minors on July 22.

Zambrano's best start since June 20 occurred last Saturday when the 29-year-old registered a 3-2 victory against St. Louis as a huge 225 road underdog. Zambrano limited the Cardinals to two runs on seven hits through 5 2/3 innings. He walked two batters and fanned three spanning 96 pitches.

Wrigley Field seems to agree with Zambrano, as he is 1-2 with a nifty 3.00 ERA in his home park compared to 3-4 with a 6.70 ERA on the road. However, Zambrano is 3-3 with a bloated 6.70 ERA in day games compared to 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA under the lights.

The Cubs have a couple of injury concerns for Thursday's finale. First baseman Derek Lee has a bulging disk in his back, while second baseman Jeff Baker has a strained lower back. Trade winds continue to swirl around Lee, who is rumored to be on his way to Atlanta.

Chicago is 27-35 at home, while San Diego is a sparkling 36-25 on the road.

Marty Foster is scheduled to call balls and strikes in Thursday's finale. The ‘over' is 11-10 when Foster is behind the plate, thanks to an average of 9.3 runs per game.

Don't forget to check the weather conditions at Wrigley Field before making any decisions regarding the game's total.