For the first time in five years, the Chicago Cubs are back in the postseason, and the city is buzzing with anticipation as Wrigley Field prepares to host the San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card Series. The best-of-three showdown begins Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2025, with first pitch scheduled for 3:08 PM EST, broadcast live on ABC. After a rollercoaster end to the regular season, both teams arrive in Chicago with momentum—and plenty of storylines that could shape the opening act of this year’s MLB playoffs.
The Cubs, who finished the regular season at 92-70, secured their playoff berth in dramatic fashion by sweeping their archrivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, in a three-game set to close the campaign. That clutch performance snapped a late-season skid and gave Chicago a three-game winning streak heading into October. On the other side, the Padres (90-72) made a late push of their own, winning seven of their last eight games. While San Diego fell just short of overtaking the Dodgers in the National League West, their strong finish has kept them firmly in the mix for a deep playoff run.
Perhaps the most compelling subplot heading into Game 1 is the Cubs’ decision on the mound. With rookie sensation Cade Horton sidelined by a right rib fracture—a cruel blow after his breakout regular season—manager Craig Counsell turned to veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd. The 34-year-old, who just wrapped up his first All-Star campaign, was visibly emotional at Monday’s press conference, reflecting on the significance of the moment. Using his shirt to wipe away tears, Boyd said, “You think about a career, this is cool, because -- it’s cool for so many different reasons. It’s cool because you never know when the opportunity presents itself.”
Boyd’s journey to this moment is nothing short of remarkable. After years of battling injuries and averaging just over 50 innings per season across the previous four years, Boyd found new life in Chicago. He posted a 3.21 ERA over 31 starts, logging 179 2/3 innings and racking up 154 strikeouts—his best totals since 2019 with Detroit. His durability and consistency were a welcome surprise for the Cubs, and Counsell didn’t hesitate to praise his veteran starter: “We’re lucky to have Matt. He’s a big reason why we’re here. He’s been our consistent take-the-ball-every-time starter and you’re happy to hand the ball to a guy like that.”
Boyd’s connection to the Cubs runs deep. His late grandfather, John Boyd, grew up a Cubs fan in Chicago, and Matthew has spoken often about the pride he feels pitching for the storied franchise. “It’s something you dream of,” Boyd said. “To get to do it at Wrigley, to get to do it for the Cubs organization, it’s something I don’t take lightly and it’s an amazing honor. I’m extremely grateful.” And if history is any indication, the Cubs are in good hands: Boyd boasts a 12-1 record with a 2.59 ERA in 16 career games at Wrigley Field.
With Horton out, Chicago’s rotation depth will be tested. Counsell has not yet announced his plans for Games 2 and 3, but lefty Shota Imanaga and righty Jameson Taillon are the primary options. The Cubs will need every bit of their pitching prowess to contain a dangerous Padres lineup anchored by Manny Machado. The San Diego slugger turned in another stellar season, hitting .275 with 37 home runs and 95 RBIs. Machado has been a model of consistency, belting at least 27 homers in six of his seven seasons with the Padres.
San Diego will counter with right-hander Nick Pivetta in Game 1. Pivetta, who finished the season with a 13-5 record and a sparkling 2.87 ERA, made 31 starts but stumbled a bit in his last two, allowing six runs over 10.1 innings. Still, the Padres managed to win both those games, and Pivetta has struck out at least five batters in nine of his last ten outings. The Cubs’ offense will have its work cut out for them, especially with Kyle Tucker still searching for his rhythm after returning from a calf injury—he’s just 1-for-11 since coming back.
Oddsmakers are calling this a toss-up, with the Cubs slightly favored at -115 on the moneyline and the Padres close behind at -105. The over/under is set at 7.0 runs, reflecting the quality of both pitching staffs and the uncertainty surrounding the Cubs’ injury situation. According to betting trends, the over has hit in 13 of the Cubs’ last 20 home games and the Padres’ last 10 on the road combined. San Diego has also covered the spread in four of its last five games, showing a profit for bettors backing the Friars late in the year.
As the 2025 MLB postseason kicks off, the Cubs-Padres matchup is one of several intriguing Wild Card series. The Back Sports Page baseball writers, for example, are split in their predictions: three favor the Cubs to advance, while one is backing the Padres. Across the league, the Philadelphia Phillies enter October as the favorites to win the World Series at +425 odds, followed closely by the Seattle Mariners (+450) and the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers (+500). The Padres and Cubs are considered dark horses, with odds of +1400 and +1500, respectively.
This year’s playoff field is stacked, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Cubs, under new manager Craig Counsell, are seeking to recapture the magic of 2016, while the Padres are hungry for their first ever World Series title. Both teams have battled adversity—Chicago with key injuries and San Diego with a late-season division race heartbreak—but now, everything comes down to a best-of-three at the Friendly Confines.
As for individual accolades, the postseason awards race is as hotly contested as ever. Shohei Ohtani is the consensus pick for National League MVP, while Paul Skenes is the favorite for NL Cy Young. For the Cubs, rookie Cade Horton’s campaign was cut short, but his impact hasn’t gone unnoticed—he’s a strong contender for NL Rookie of the Year.
With the postseason officially underway, all eyes are on Wrigley Field. Will Matthew Boyd’s emotional journey fuel the Cubs to victory, or will Manny Machado and the Padres spoil the party in Chicago? One thing’s for sure: with October baseball back in the Windy City, anything can happen.
As the first pitch approaches, the Cubs and Padres are set for a dramatic opener that could set the tone for the entire postseason. Fans won’t want to miss a moment as these two clubs battle for a shot at baseball immortality.
