Playoff baseball is back on the North Side, and the electricity at Wrigley Field is palpable as the Chicago Cubs prepare to host the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series. For Cubs fans, it’s been a minute since postseason fever swept through the ivy, but Tuesday’s matchup marks a fresh opportunity—not just for redemption, but for a team that’s rediscovered its swagger at precisely the right moment.
First pitch is set for 3:08 p.m. ET, with ABC providing national coverage and Fubo offering streaming options for those tuning in from afar. The Cubs, led by manager Craig Counsell, are coming off a regular season marked by inconsistency at the plate, but the final stretch saw several key players catch fire, giving Chicago plenty of hope as the 2025 MLB Playoffs get underway.
On the mound, it’s a battle of right-handers: Matthew Boyd takes the ball for Chicago, making his playoff debut in Cubbie blue, while Nick Pivetta gets the nod for the Padres. The official 26-man rosters dropped Tuesday morning, confirming what many had speculated after a flurry of late-season injuries and lineup shuffling. Notably, promising young arm Cade Horton remains sidelined with a broken rib, a blow to the Cubs’ pitching depth, but one they’ve prepared for in recent weeks.
The Cubs’ postseason quest is tinged with a sense of unfinished business. Memories linger of a playoff series against the Padres some forty years ago that ended in heartbreak for Chicago. Now, with Wrigley packed and the city buzzing, the Cubs have a shot at revenge—and at rewriting their October narrative.
What’s driving this late-season surge? Look no further than Seiya Suzuki, the 31-year-old designated hitter and outfielder who’s been nothing short of sensational. After a prolonged slump that had some questioning his long-term fit with the Cubs, Suzuki has erupted at the plate. Over the last four games of the regular season, he launched five home runs, powering his way to National League Player of the Week honors, as announced by MLB Network on September 29, 2025. Suzuki’s hot streak included a career-best four consecutive games with a homer, capped by a two-homer performance against the Mets and longballs in each game of a weekend set with St. Louis. That’s not just clutch—it’s historic.
"Suzuki homered in a career-best four consecutive games to close out his fourth Major League season, hitting two home runs on Thursday against the Mets followed by a longball in each game of Chicago’s three-game weekend set with St. Louis," reported MLB Network. With 32 home runs on the year, Suzuki surpassed Hideki Matsui’s 2004 mark, now sitting sixth all-time among Japanese-born MLB players. And he didn’t just provide power—he ended the season with a hit in seven straight games and an RBI in each of his final six, reaching base in 29 of his last 30 contests.
His timing couldn’t be better. The health of outfielder Kyle Tucker remains in question, making Suzuki’s resurgence all the more vital for Chicago’s playoff ambitions. If Suzuki can keep up this torrid pace, he could be the difference-maker in the series.
But Suzuki isn’t the only Cub swinging a hot bat. First baseman Michael Busch has emerged as an unlikely slugging hero, leading the team with 34 home runs this season. Over his last three games, Busch has homered three times, and his consistent production has erased any doubts about his role as the Cubs’ long-term answer at first base. During the final week, he was also recognized for his offensive prowess, hitting .400 with four homers and eight RBIs, as highlighted by MLB’s weekly awards recap.
On the pitching side, Chicago’s rotation has weathered adversity with impressive resilience. With Cade Horton out, Jameson Taillon has stepped up, closing the regular season with a sparkling 1.54 ERA over his last four starts. Opposing hitters batted under .200 against him during that stretch—a testament to his command and confidence under pressure. There’s also Colin Rea, who struck out 18 and allowed just one run in 12 and 2/3 innings over his final two starts. While Rea is likely to serve as a piggy-back option behind Shota Imanaga, his recent dominance offers Counsell flexibility and a reliable arm out of the bullpen.
Manager Counsell’s steady hand has been a storyline in itself. According to Marquee Sports Network’s Andy Martinez, "The Cubs have a different attitude and preparedness than they did in his first season in Chicago." That calm, focused approach could prove invaluable in a short, three-game series where momentum swings quickly and every decision is magnified.
Of course, the Padres aren’t just here to make up the numbers. With Nick Pivetta on the mound and sluggers like Fernando Tatis Jr. in the lineup, San Diego poses a formidable threat. DraftKings Sportsbook has highlighted both Tatis and Suzuki as likely home run candidates in Game 1, and the betting lines are buzzing with predictions for big performances on both sides. For those looking to add some extra juice to the viewing experience, same game parlay picks are available, featuring bets on home runs, strikeouts, and total bases for stars like Kyle Tucker and Matthew Boyd.
The Cubs’ path forward is clear but challenging. Should they advance past the Padres, they’ll face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series this coming weekend. But first, they have to handle business at home, where the energy is high and the stakes even higher.
As the first pitch approaches, the question on everyone’s mind: Can the Cubs’ late-season momentum carry them through the Wild Card and into a deeper October run? With Suzuki and Busch leading the charge, a revitalized rotation, and a city behind them, Chicago has every reason to believe. But as any baseball fan knows, the postseason is unpredictable—one swing, one pitch, one moment can change everything.
For now, the focus is squarely on Wrigley Field, where hope springs eternal and the 2025 MLB Playoffs begin anew. The Cubs have the talent, the timing, and the hunger. All that’s left is to play ball and see where this October journey leads.
