The Padres and Cubs are back in the same October bracket, and this time the whole thing shifts to San Diego.
For the second straight year, San Diego and Chicago will meet in an NL Wild Card series, only now the best-of-three will be played entirely at Petco Park. The Cubs took last year’s matchup, a tight, low-scoring set at Wrigley Field in which no game produced more than four total runs. With Petco Park also carrying a reputation as a pitcher-friendly setting, another tense, low-scoring series looks very much in play.
San Diego comes in with a veteran roster and a familiar postseason presence, making the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. But the returns have slipped each time.
Offense was a major problem in last year’s series, especially from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, who combined to go 2 for 22. The Padres are hoping Ty France can help change that after a strong return to the club, posting a .863 OPS with 21 home runs, while Jackson Merrill’s rise has added more punch too, with 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases.
Chicago’s attack has its own centerpiece. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who made his postseason debut against San Diego in 2025, now enters this series as the clear headliner in the Cubs lineup and the likely NL MVP. The 24-year-old led the majors with 9.8 WAR, hit 45 homers, scored 119 runs, posted an NL-best .941 OPS and swiped 41 bases.
The Cubs also have one lingering question hanging over their lineup: Alex Bregman. He was hit by a foul ball on Sept. 20 and suffered facial fractures, but he returned to the lineup five days later.
Here’s how the series is set up and where to watch it.
The Padres and Cubs will play the entire best-of-three at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Thursday’s schedule will depend on whether a Game 3 is needed. If all four Wild Card series go the distance, the start time and channel for Game 3 will match Games 1 and 2.
All games will air on Peacock and can also be streamed live on and fubo.
The 2026 MLB postseason begins with the Wild Card round on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The Division Series starts Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by the NLCS on Sunday, Oct. 11, the ALCS on Monday, Oct. 12, and the World Series on Friday, Oct. 23.
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