The Padres can't be favored on the road not with the second-worst away mark in baseball at 18-30. The Padres are 2-7 in their last nine road matchups despite winning on Wednesday.

San Diego can't be road chalk with the worst offense in baseball. The Cubs have smacked 64 more homers than the Padres. Power can especially factor at Wrigley Field. The Padres are weak at all four infield spots with fill-ins manning the positions right now.

The Padres' outstanding bullpen depth isn't so good anymore with closer Huston Street being traded to the Angels.

So why then are the Padres favored? The pitching matchup is All-Star Tyson Ross versus journeyman Edwin Jackson.

I'm not a fan of Jackson, but this isn't the mismatch it looks on paper. Jackson pitches better at home while Ross is worse on the road with a 3-5 away mark and 3.73 ERA. Ross has to deal with a hot Anthony Rizzo, who is batting .367 with five homers during an eight-game hitting streak. I doubt Ross would have been on the All-Star team if every team didn't have to be represented.

Jackson, a righty, could be pitching for his future as once again there are trade rumors swirling around him. San Diego is 5-11 in their last 16 games versus a righty.