CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday at Wrigley Field in the middle of a crucial four-game series, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. CDT. The Cubs (45-38) hold a two-game lead over the Padres (43-39) in the National League standings. Chicago took two of three from the Padres in San Diego in late April, including a 5-4 win on April 29 and an 8-3 victory on April 28. The series opener Monday finished in a 0-0 tie, a game suspended or called early due to conditions not specified in available data. San Diego comes to Chicago after losing three of four at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers, capped by a 4-2 loss Sunday. Manny Machado went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in that defeat. The third baseman has been streaky: He homered in a 7-1 win over the Dodgers on June 26 and also drove in five runs in a 6-4, 10-inning win at Texas on June 20. Over his past 10 games, Machado is batting .267 with three home runs and eight RBIs. Chicago enters on a three-game winning streak after taking all three games at Milwaukee, including a 4-3, 10-inning victory Sunday. Right-hander Bryse Wilson threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings in that game, allowing four hits and striking out four. Wilson has been effective out of the bullpen and could factor into Tuesday’s pitching plans for the Cubs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Cubs victory. Chicago is listed as a -1.5 favorite, and the over/under is set at 11.5 runs. The Padres (43-39) follow Tuesday’s game with another contest at Wrigley Field on Wednesday before heading to Los Angeles for a four-game series against the Dodgers starting Thursday. The Cubs (45-38) host the Padres again Wednesday, then welcome the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday.