The recent Padres vs Chicago Cubs Match Player Stats series in April 2025 delivered a thrilling four-game stretch filled with dominant pitching, explosive offense, and game-changing moments. The matchups were split between two venues: Wrigley Field in Chicago and Petco Park in San Diego, providing an excellent contrast between the Cubs’ strong home starts and the Padres’ comeback wins at home.
The first two games in Chicago saw the Cubs shut down the Padres with elite starting pitching and timely hitting. The Padres, however, bounced back with firepower from their sluggers when the series moved to Petco Park. Each game featured unique performances—whether it was Shōta Imanaga’s precise control, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s homerun show, or Carson Kelly’s unexpected burst.
Below is a summary of the series:
| 🗓 Game Date | 🏟 Location | Final Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2025 | Wrigley Field | Cubs 3 – Padres 1 | Cubs |
| Apr 5, 2025 | Wrigley Field | Cubs 7 – Padres 1 | Cubs |
| Apr 14, 2025 | Petco Park | Padres 10 – Cubs 4 | Padres |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Petco Park | Padres 4 – Cubs 2 | Padres |
This split series not only showed the depth of both teams but also provided rich statistical takeaways for fans, analysts, and fantasy baseball followers.
Quote from MLB Network Analyst:
“This Padres vs Cubs series might be an early playoff preview—the energy, intensity, and talent on both sides is undeniable.”
Key Pitching Matchups & Starter Stats
Pitching was a major storyline in the Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats series, especially in the first two games where the Cubs’ rotation dominated. Let’s break down the performances of the starters and how they influenced the outcomes.
🔥 Cubs Starting Pitchers:
- Shōta Imanaga (April 4):
- 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K
- The Cubs’ new ace was surgical with his control, allowing no earned runs and showing why he has an ERA under 1.00.
- He induced weak contact and executed a brilliant mix of fastballs and splitters.
- Matthew Boyd (April 5):
- 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 K
- Boyd followed Imanaga’s lead with another shutout performance, throwing a high first-strike rate and forcing soft grounders.
- His changeup worked effectively against right-handed batters like Machado and Kim.
🔥 Padres Starting Pitchers:
- Randy Vásquez (April 4):
- 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
- Vásquez struggled with command, walking five. He allowed the Cubs to gain early momentum, despite limiting hits.
- Pitch count got too high, forcing an early exit.
- Nick Pivetta (April 5 & April 16):
- Game 1: 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB
- Game 2: 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 BB
- Pivetta bounced back in the rematch at Petco Park, showing excellent fastball command and limiting hard contact.
| 🔢 Pitching Comparison Table |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | ER | K | BB | ERA (in series) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shōta Imanaga | Cubs | 7.0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Matthew Boyd | Cubs | 6.0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Randy Vásquez | Padres | 4.2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3.86 |
| Nick Pivetta | Padres | 9.0 (2 games) | 4 | 10 | 4 | 4.00 |
Takeaway: Cubs’ starters outperformed early, but Pivetta’s recovery in the final game gave San Diego crucial momentum. The Padres bullpen also stepped up in the last two games.
Offensive Leaders for Padres vs Chicago Cubs
While the first two games were dominated by Cubs’ pitching, the Padres exploded offensively in games three and four, with Fernando Tatis Jr. leading the charge. On the Cubs’ side, Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson showcased unexpected power.
⚾ Top Padres Hitters:
- Fernando Tatis Jr.
- 5-for-14, 3 HR, 5 RBI
- Homered twice in Game 3 and drew a bases-loaded walk in Game 4.
- Also showcased strong defense in right field.
- Manny Machado
- 4-for-13, 3 RBI, 2 2B
- Clutch RBIs in Game 4 helped seal the series. Reliable veteran presence.
- Luis Arraez
- 5-for-12, 1 HR, 2 RBI
- Contact machine at the top of the order. Helped set the tone.
🔵 Top Cubs Hitters:
- Carson Kelly
- 2 HR, 4 RBI in one game
- Unexpected offensive burst in Game 2, hitting a solo and 3-run homer.
- Dansby Swanson
- 3-for-12, HR, solid infield play
- Added pop and defensive consistency.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong
- 5-for-15, HR, 3 R
- Promising young outfielder was a bright spot even in losses.
| 🧮 Top Offensive Stats |
| Player | Team | Hits | HR | RBI | OBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | Padres | 5 | 3 💣 | 5 🎯 | .412 |
| Carson Kelly | Cubs | 3 | 2 💣 | 4 🎯 | .375 |
| Luis Arraez | Padres | 5 | 1 💣 | 2 🎯 | .417 |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | Cubs | 5 | 1 💣 | 1 🎯 | .400 |
Quote:
“When Tatis is hot, he changes the game on both sides of the field,” – Padres Coach Mike Shildt
Game-by-Game Stat Highlights
Game 1 – April 4, Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Wrigley Field)
- Star: Shōta Imanaga – 7.1 IP, no earned runs.
- Key Hit: Justin Turner RBI single.
- Tatis Jr. had 2 hits, but no RBIs.
Game 2 – April 5, Cubs 7, Padres 1 (Wrigley Field)
- Star: Carson Kelly – 2 HR, 4 RBI.
- Pitching: Boyd dominates 6 scoreless innings.
- Padres offense silenced, just 1 RBI from Tatis.
Game 3 – April 14, Padres 10, Cubs 4 (Petco Park)
- Star: Fernando Tatis Jr. – 2 HR, 3 RBI.
- Turning Point: 6-run inning by Padres in the 7th.
- Cubs bullpen struggled, especially Nate Pearson.
Game 4 – April 16, Padres 4, Cubs 2 (Petco Park)
- Star: Nick Pivetta – 6 IP, 1 ER.
- Key Moment: Machado and Tatis deliver RBIs in clutch situations.
- Cubs only scored via Pete Crow‑Armstrong’s HR.
Series Total Runs: Padres 16 – Cubs 16
But Padres scored 14 in two games, showing big-game explosiveness.
Comparative Statistical Trends
Let’s compare how both teams performed statistically over the 4-game stretch.
| 🧾 Team Stats Comparison |
| Metric | Padres | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 16 | 16 |
| Batting Avg | .278 | .247 |
| Home Runs | 6 | 4 |
| Strikeouts (Offense) | 29 | 33 |
| Walks Drawn | 15 | 10 |
| Team ERA | 3.75 | 4.50 |
| Errors | 0 | 2 |
- Padres hitters showed better plate discipline, drawing more walks and striking out less.
- Cubs had the early momentum, but couldn’t keep up once the Padres bats woke up.
Standout Performers & Stat Leaders
🏆 Padres MVP – Fernando Tatis Jr.
- Power, speed, and clutch hits.
- Defense in right field was also strong.
- Emerging as the team’s emotional leader.
🏆 Cubs MVP – Carson Kelly
- Though not a regular star, Kelly’s 4 RBIs in one game were game-changing.
- Swanson and Crow-Armstrong were solid, but Kelly stole the spotlight.
🔝 Other Notables:
- Manny Machado: Reliable as always, leading from the front.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: A future franchise piece for Chicago.
Statcast & Advanced MLB Metrics
For the analytically inclined, here’s how the top players stacked up using Statcast data:
| Player | Exit Velo (avg) | Hard-Hit % | Barrel % | Defensive Runs Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatis Jr. | 94.6 mph | 56% | 18% | +3 |
| Machado | 91.1 mph | 47% | 12% | +2 |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 89.5 mph | 42% | 9% | +1 |
| Carson Kelly | 95.2 mph | 60% | 15% | 0 |
- Tatis had the highest barrel % and hard-hit contact, proving his elite bat speed is back.
- Kelly’s stat line shows his HRs were no fluke—crushed pitches both times.
What These Player Stats Mean for the Season
This Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats series gave fans a preview of what could be a late-season rivalry. The Padres showed they could respond after tough losses, with their stars shining when it mattered. Meanwhile, the Cubs’ young talent gave hope, though bullpen reliability remains a concern.
What to Watch Going Forward:
- Tatis Jr.’s consistency – is this the MVP campaign we’ve been waiting for?
- Cubs bullpen usage – how will they manage high-pressure innings?
- Pivetta’s role – can he anchor San Diego’s rotation all season?
This wasn’t just an early-season matchup. It was a signal of each team’s depth, talent, and firepower—with plenty more drama to come.
FAQs
Q1: Who had the most home runs in the Padres vs Cubs series?
Fernando Tatis Jr. led all players with 3 home runs across the 4-game series, including a two-homer night on April 14 at Petco Park.
Q2: Which pitcher had the best performance?
Shōta Imanaga of the Cubs delivered the best single pitching performance, throwing 7.1 scoreless innings with 0 walks in Game 1.
Q3: Did the Cubs bullpen struggle?
Yes, especially in Game 3. Reliever Nate Pearson gave up multiple runs in a big inning that changed the game’s outcome.
Q4: Who was the breakout player of the series?
Carson Kelly surprised many with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a single game, showing potential value deeper in the Cubs lineup.
Q5: Were any injuries reported in the series?
No major injuries occurred during the Padres vs Cubs matchup. All players finished the games without incident.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
The Padres vs Chicago Cubs match player stats showcase a tale of two halves—early Cubs dominance followed by a powerful Padres comeback. Tatis Jr.’s explosive bat, solid pitching from Pivetta, and timely hits from Machado turned the tide for San Diego. For the Cubs, Imanaga and Kelly proved to be shining stars in a series that had playoff-like intensity.
As the MLB season unfolds, both teams will take lessons from this series. The Cubs will aim for consistency from their bullpen, while the Padres will look to build on the momentum and keep their star core healthy and productive.
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