Cubs and Padres set for NL Wild Card series rematch

The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres were scheduled to begin a three-game National League Wild Card series at Petco Park on Tuesday, September 29, with San Diego opening at home after the teams met in the postseason a year earlier. The supplied previews do not report a game result, so the series outcome remains unconfirmed here. The series was set to continue Wednesday, September 30, with a third game scheduled for Thursday, October 1, if needed. San Diego was listed as the host for all three games. The winner is expected to advance to face Milwaukee in the NL Division Series, according to the series schedule in the previews. Chicago finished the regular season 89-73 and San Diego 91-71, according to the Associated Press preview. The Cubs held a 5-1 advantage in the teams’ six regular-season meetings. Chicago also won the 2025 Wild Card series 2-1, but that series took place at Wrigley Field; this year’s matchup was scheduled for Petco Park. Matthew Boyd was listed as Chicago’s probable starter for Game 1, with a 10-5 record and 3.91 ERA. San Diego’s probable starter was Michael King, who was listed at 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA.