The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are set for a high-stakes showdown in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series tonight at Wrigley Field. After splitting the first two games, with the Cubs edging out a 3-1 victory in the opener on Tuesday and the Padres firing back with a win on Wednesday, everything now rides on this decisive matchup. It's do-or-die for both teams, and the tension is palpable as the Cubs aim to advance to face the Brewers in the Division Series.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell has his squad primed, leaning on the steady play of shortstop Dansby Swanson, who's been a quiet force in the lineup amid the playoff frenzy. The Padres, however, bring their own firepower, looking to capitalize on momentum from their Game 2 turnaround. Indeed, San Diego's bullpen has shown cracks before, but their starters have kept things tight this series. Game 3 kicks off at 5:08 p.m. ET, giving fans in the Midwest a prime evening slot under the lights—or whatever's left of the sun at Wrigley.
Where to watch: The game airs nationally on ESPN, with coverage starting around 4:30 p.m. ET. For those streaming, options include the ESPN app, MLB.tv (blackout restrictions apply), and FuboTV for cord-cutters. Local viewers in Chicago can tune into Marquee Sports Network for pregame analysis, while Padres fans have Bally Sports San Diego. Radio broadcasts are available on 670 The Score for Cubs supporters and 97.3 The Fan in San Diego. Odds favor the Cubs slightly at home, with Chicago listed as -135 moneyline favorites, but anything can happen in a winner-take-all affair.
However, the real story might be the Cubs' resurgence after a middling regular season, scraping into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. The Padres, seeded third, entered as favorites but stumbled early. Moreover, Wrigley's ivy-covered walls could play tricks on visiting hitters, as they've done for decades. Still, San Diego's experience in recent postseasons gives them an edge in pressure moments.
This series has already delivered drama, from Swanson's clutch hits to the Padres' late rallies. As October baseball heats up, one team walks away with their season intact, while the other heads into the cold.