The Chicago Cubs will seek to complete a sweep of the San Diego Padres in the 2025 National League Wild Card during Game 2 on October 1, 2025. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:08 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The game will be broadcast on ABC, with streaming options available through DirecTV, fuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV, all offering free trials.
Game Overview and Streaming Options
What: MLB Playoffs, Wild Card Game 2
Who: San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
When: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: 3:08 p.m. ET
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV: ABC
Live stream: DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV (free trial), Hulu + Live TV
The Cubs head into this crucial match after a successful Game 1, where they triumphed over the Padres with a score of 3-1. According to a report from the Associated Press, Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly contributed to the victory with back-to-back home runs, marking a notable playoff performance for the team. The Cubs last celebrated a playoff win in the 2017 National League Championship Series.
Recap of Game 1
The Cubs showcased their might against the Padres, bolstered by an impressive performance from their bullpen. Matthew Boyd started the game strongly, allowing the Padres only one run. Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts initially put San Diego ahead in the second inning with back-to-back doubles, but the Cubs quickly responded.
Suzuki’s homer in the fifth inning tied the game, igniting the enthusiasm of the crowd of 39,114. Kelly followed with another homer shortly thereafter. Reflecting on the game, Kelly noted, “All in all, a really good day for us. Having a chance to clinch tomorrow and move to the next round is all you can ask for.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised his bullpen’s performance, stating, “Just a brilliant job. Everybody just executed pitches.”
Dylan Cease will take the mound for the Padres in Game 2. The right-hander, who has had a challenging season with a record of 8-12 and a 4.55 ERA, was originally drafted by the Cubs in 2014 before being traded to the White Sox in July 2017. Cease expressed, “I definitely have no hard feelings towards them, but yeah, it feels like a lifetime ago.”
As the Cubs aim to advance in the postseason, the stakes are high for both teams. With the Cubs as the favorites on the moneyline according to DraftKings, the anticipation for Game 2 is palpable among fans and players alike.
This matchup not only highlights the excitement of the MLB playoffs but also serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where every game can shift the momentum dramatically. The Cubs will look to harness their home-field advantage as they aim for a decisive victory against the Padres on this pivotal afternoon.
