The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres meet for the second straight year in the National League Wild Card Series, but this time around the Padres get to host after losing in three games to the Cubs in 2025, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at Petco Park.
Sep 26, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres thrid baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
How to Watch Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres: Game 1
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET
- Channel: NBCSN
- Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
San Diego posted the second-best record in baseball after the All-Star break, surging to a 43-23 mark to claim the top wild-card spot in the NL. Fernando Tatis Jr. didn’t hit his first home run until May 30 but recovered to hit 25 to go with 38 stolen bases and a .289/.358/.470 slash line. Manny Machado reached the 30-homer mark for the fourth time since coming to the Padres in 2019 despite a career-worst slash line of .217/.303/.407. Closer Mason Miller struck out 129 in just 70 innings while leading the NL with 38 saves.
Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs into the series, becoming the first player in franchise history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season with 45 and 41, respectively. PCA also slashed .280/.373/.570, leading the NL with a .943 OPS and topping MLB with 357 total bases. Alex Bregman, who sustained facial fractures when hit by a foul ball while in the on-deck circle on Sept. 20, went 4-for-4 with two home runs as the designated hitter on Sunday, but his status regarding playing third base remains uncertain.
Right-hander Michael King starts Game 1 for the Padres after putting up a 3.21 ERA and 1.178 WHIP in 32 starts and 185 innings. Left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the call for Chicago, making 22 starts with a 3.91 ERA and 1.208 WHIP in 126.2 innings.
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