The San Diego Padres are setting the pace in Major League Baseball with an impressive 14-3 record, boasting an undefeated 11-0 streak at home, tying them with the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers and 2023 Tampa Bay Rays for the longest home opening streak since 1900. On Tuesday night, against the Chicago Cubs, star Manny Machado capitalized on a little luck, hitting a solo homer after the Cubs' right fielder Kyle Tucker and third baseman Gage Workman both dropped foul popups, allowing Machado to extend the inning. This at-bat not only lifted Machado's numbers but also increased the pitch count for Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, ultimately leading to his exit from the game.

Machado, now 32, has been a strong asset to the Padres, demonstrating a robust batting average of .317 with seven doubles and six stolen bases this season. His performance reflects a broader team trend of aggressive base running, indicating the Padres are not just relying on luck but are also capitalizing on their skillset to dominate games. The Padres’ ability to combine luck with talent could be pivotal as they look to sustain their successful start as the season progresses.

In a disappointing start to their series against the San Diego Padres, the Chicago Cubs suffered a 10-4 loss at Petco Park, marred by defensive miscommunication and missed opportunities. The Cubs held a two-run lead until the sixth inning, where a critical uncaught fly ball allowed the Padres to tie the game, eventually leading to their loss. Manager Craig Counsell and players like Ian Happ recognized that the team fell victim to their own mistakes, failing to execute defensive plays and allowing the Padres to capitalize.

The Cubs had been performing well defensively this season, ranking fourth in MLB for fielding percentage. However, against the Padres, who remain undefeated at home, the Cubs' errors proved costly. Brad Keller struggled in relief, leading to a series of unfortunate events, including walks and soft singles that further compounded the Cubs' defensive issues. Despite this setback, Happ expressed confidence in the team's ability to rebound in the upcoming games.

On April 12, 2025, RotoBallers presents essential DFS picks for the day across DraftKings and FanDuel, focusing on a five-game slate from FanDuel and a slightly larger six-game slate from DraftKings. Key pitchers include Bryan Woo, who boasts a 23% strikeout rate against a Texas lineup striking out 21.2% against righties, and Andrew Heaney, who is coming off a strong performance against the Yankees and faces a struggling Cincinnati offense.

In the infield, Josh Naylor is a potential sleeper with a .433 batting average against right-handers, while Manny Machado has been sizzling hot, recording multiple hits in five of his last eleven games. Jorge Polanco continues to shine in Seattle, posting a .417 average with solid slugging numbers. Outfield selections include Fernando Tatis Jr., who is crushing righties, and Pavin Smith, who excels against right-handed pitching.

The San Diego Padres have kicked off their 2025 season with an impressive eight-game winning streak, showcasing their offensive prowess against the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians. Key players Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Gavin Sheets, and Jackson Merrill have all contributed significantly, with Merrill recently securing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. This streak breaks their previous longest run of seven games from 2024.

As the Padres prepare to face the Chicago Cubs, the team looks to continue this momentum and potentially challenge for the best start in MLB history, a record set by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. Fans are eager to see if the Padres can maintain their hot streak and keep pace with the equally strong Los Angeles Dodgers, also off to an 8-0 start.

In a competitive clash, the Cleveland Guardians fell 5-2 to the San Diego Padres, who improved their franchise-record start to a 7-0. Key moments included homers from Jackson Merrill and Luis Arraez, with Arraez's being his first of the season. The Guardians struggled against Dylan Cease, who allowed just one run over 6 1/3 innings. Cleveland's Ben Lively took the loss after yielding four runs in 4 1/3 innings, hampered by a crucial third inning where he lost control after two quick outs.

The Padres took an early lead with a unique double steal, showcasing their aggressive base-running. Cleveland’s late-game efforts included a groundout from Lane Thomas and a sacrifice fly from Kyle Manzardo, but ultimately, they couldn’t capitalize on their chances to tie the game.