Cubs and Padres Gear Up for Thrilling Wild Card Showdown at Wrigley

As the 2025 MLB playoff picture continues to take shape, one matchup has already been finalized in the National League. The fourth-seeded Chicago Cubs will host the fifth-seeded San Diego Padres in a best-of-three Wild Card round series, which is set to begin on Tuesday, September 30.

All three games of the series will be played at Wrigley Field in Chicago. With less than a week remaining in the regular season, both the Cubs and Padres have surpassed 88 wins and secured second place in their respective divisions. In their 6 regular-season meetings this year, the two teams have split the series at 3 wins apiece, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason showdown.

Fans can now purchase tickets to witness the action unfold, with the cheapest option being Game 1 at $189. If the Cubs advance past the Padres, they would move on to the National League Divisional Series, where they would host at least one game. The team's potential path to the World Series also includes hosting games in the National League Championship Series and, if they make it that far, the World Series itself.