The best-of-three Wild Card Series kicked off on Tuesday evening at Wrigley Field, resulting in a 3-1 win for the Chicago Cubs against the San Diego Padres. Both teams finished second in their respective divisions (NL Central and NL West), which earned them wild card spots. The victorious team from this series will progress to face the Milwaukee Brewers, the top seed in the National League.
For the complete 2025 MLB playoff schedule and bracket, refer to the following Wild Card Series schedule for the Cubs vs. Padres:
| Game | Date | Start Time/Score | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Tues., Sept. 30 | 3:08 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Game 2 | Weds., Oct. 1 | 3:08 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Game 3 | Thurs., Oct. 2 | TBA |
Where to Watch Game 2
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1 | Time: 3:08 p.m. ET
Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago)
TV Channel: ABC | Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Dylan Cease (SDP) vs. RHP Andrew Kittredge (CHC)
Odds: CHI -104 | SDP -117 (via DraftKings)
Wild Card Series Storylines
Cubs: The Cubs return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, and the first time in a complete 162-game season since 2018. They last won a playoff series in 2017 after making a significant move to acquire outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter. However, injuries depleted his performance in the latter half of the season. Tucker will be a free agent this offseason, and a strong postseason run would benefit both him and the team. The Cubs however face a setback with rookie Cade Horton being sidelined due to a rib injury, likely affecting their game strategy.
Padres: Marking their fourth postseason appearance in six years, the Padres have had an inconsistent record since their previous seasons where they initially had a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the last year’s NLDS but ended up scoreless after. Their strategy relies heavily on run prevention, despite a lack of home runs. Their strong bullpen depth is instrumental for managing the game plan effectively.
