I want Jon Lester at home against the Padres and this is the way to do that without laying a ton of juice. The Cubs' last five victories have been by an average of 6.2 runs. Chicago is averaging 7.4 runs during their last five games.

Lester has a 2.65 ERA at Wrigley Field this season and a 2.96 ERA against the Padres in four lifetime starts.

The Cubs are not going to lack motivation, or focus, either against the bottom-feeding Padres since San Diego swept them at Petco Park at the end of last month.

The Padres are one of the worst road clubs in the majors at 11-24. They have lost seven of their past nine away games.

The Cubs are familiar with Padres starter, southpaw Clayton Richard. He pitched for the Cubs in 2015 and 2016. The Cubs are 9-6 versus lefty starters. Richard is bad on the road away from pitcher-friendly Petco Park with a 1-4 away mark and 4.39 ERA.