Tom Krasovic: Padres show high-end potential in extending Wild Card Series (Tom Krasovic – U-T) With Mike Shildt pushing the right buttons, Padres’ bullpen redlines its way to series-tying win (Ryan Finley – U-T) Aging Yu Darvish’s focus is clear heading into Padres’ elimination game (Jeff Sanders – U-T)

San Diego’s win sets the stage for a decisive Game 3 Thursday. Yu Darvish takes the ball for the Padres and will be opposed by Jameson Taillon of the Cubs. The winner moves on to the Divisional Round against the Milwaukee Brewers.

On Thursday, the Chicago Cubs are turning to Jameson Taillon for their biggest start of the season. The Padres are countering with former Cub Yu Darvish.

The Padres’ Mason Miller throws a pitch in the seventh inning against the Cubs during Game 2 of the National League wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025.

The upcoming three-game postseason series, pitting the Chicago Cubs against the San Diego Padres, starts on Tuesday, September 30, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET. Date: Tuesday, Sept. 30

Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Mason Miller dominated again and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday, sending their N.L. Wild Card Series to a decisive third game.

Making their return to the playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2018, the Chicago Cubs picked up a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres in front of the Wrigley Field faithful as Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back home runs to begin the fifth inning.