Padres On Deck vs. Cubs, Game 2 of 3

Chicago Cubs (37-21) at San Diego (23-36), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs own baseball's best record so far, primarily due to their ability to dominate the National League West. The Cubs eye their ninth consecutive win on Tuesday when they continue their three-game series against the San Diego Padres.

Chicago, which is on its longest winning streak since rolling to 12 straight victories from May 19-June 2, 2001, has hammered the NL West through the first two months of the season on its way to a 15-2 record vs. the division. After winning seven in a row at home - where they are a league-best 26-8 - the Cubs managed to hold on for No. 8 in their series-opening 8-7 road win over San Diego.

While starting pitchers have accounted for five of Chicago's wins during the winning streak, Jason Marquis (2-3, 4.98 ERA) hasn't been one of them. He has not factored into the decision in either of his last two starts, including Thursday's 8-4 win over Colorado when he allowed three runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.

San Diego will turn to Wilfredo Ledezma (0-2, 4.25), who makes his fourth start in place of injured staff ace Jake Peavy. The lefthander did not receive a decision in Thursday's 5-2 win over Washington in which he permitted a run and two hits over five frames, matching a career high with seven strikeouts.