MLB Wild Card: Cubs vs. Padres Picks, Series Odds & Betting Analysis
- Chicago Cubs overcame the San Diego Padres in this stage of the postseason last term.
- Cubs finished second in the National League Central.
- Padres finished second in the National League West.
A rematch of the Wild Card showdown between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres is set for the MLB postseason this week. The Cubs eventually came through a thriller against the Padres 12 months ago, but will the hosts gain revenge for that setback now that they have home-field advantage in 2026? Find the odds and our Cubs vs. Padres series picks here.
Cubs vs. Padres Odds
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Cubs vs. Padres Series Overview
| MLB Wild Card Round | Matchup | When | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Cubs at Padres | Tuesday, September 29, 2026. 10:00 PM ET | NBC, Peacock |
| Game 2 | Cubs at Padres | Wednesday, September 30, 2026. 10:00 PM ET | NBC, Peacock |
| Game 3 | Cubs at Padres | Thursday, October 1, 2026. 10:00 PM ET | NBC, Peacock |
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres Series Preview
Cubs Hoping For History to Repeat Itself
The Chicago Cubs overcame the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round 12 months ago. However, the factors are slightly different this time around, as the Padres will have the home-field advantage. Chicago ended the regular season with an 89-73 record, finishing second in the National League Central.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a key player for the team throughout the season, becoming just the seventh player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club in a win over the Miami Marlins earlier this month. However, consistency has proven an issue for the Cubs throughout the season, reflected after losing four of their previous six, and failing to win back-to-back games on more than one occasion since Sep 12.
Padres Gunning for Revenge
The San Diego Padres will have revenge on their mind this week, as they aim to eliminate the team that knocked them out of playoff contention 12 months ago. San Diego have been reliable throughout the season, achieving an overall 91-71 record to finish second in the National League West.
The Padres have finished in the playoff spots in each of the last three seasons, and confidence will be taken from the fact that they went 51-30 at home this term; the joint-best record in the division alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres are also in red-hot recent form, winning 18 of their 24 games in September.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres MLB Wild Card Picks
The Padres bring the healthy home advantage and dominant recent form to the table in this series against the Cubs. Therefore, we fully expect them to avenge the defeat that they suffered in the Wild Card round at the hands of the Cubs last year.
