What time is the Cubs game? Time, channel for Cubs-Padres MLB Wild Card series

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are back in the MLB playoffs after a four-year absence and will face the San Diego Padres in a National League Wild Card Series this week at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs ended the season with a 92-70 record, finishing behind the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers and earning the top wild-card slot ahead of their opponent San Diego, which went 90-72. The Padres finished runner-up to the Dodgers in the NL West and is entering their fourth playoffs in the past six years.

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Here’s how to watch and stream the Cubs vs. Padres NLWC Game 1 on Tuesday.

Stream Cubs playoff games on Fubo (free trial available)

What time is the Cubs vs Padres game?

  • Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago

  • Game 1: 2:08 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30

  • Game 2: 2:08 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1

  • Game 3: 2:08 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2 (time subject to change)

What channel is the Cubs game?

ABC is broadcasting the Cubs’ game on Sept. 30. Game 2 and Game 3, if needed, are on ESPN.

Is the Cubs game on TV? Where to stream Cubs game

Fans can watch all of the Cubs-Padres series on ABC, ESPN and via the ESPN streaming app. You can stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial. Should the Cubs make it to the division round or NLCS, the games shift to TBS. The World Series is broadcast on Fox.

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Who are the ESPN announcers for the Cubs-Padres?

Kevin Brown, Jessica Mendoza and Ben McDonald will be on the call for the series, along with Jesse Rogers.

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2025 MLB Wild Card schedule

The Chicago Cubs begin the wild-card playoffs Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Here is the full Cubs-Padres wild-card series schedule, airing on ABC and ESPN.

Tuesday, Sept. 30

  • NLWC, Game 1: Padres at Cubs, 2:08 p.m., ABC

  • ALWC, Game 1: Tigers at Guardians, 12:08 p.m., ESPN

  • ALWC, Game 1: Red Sox at Yankees, 5:08 p.m., ESPN

  • NLWC, Game 1: Reds at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Oct. 1

  • NLWC, Game 2: Padres at Cubs, 2:08 p.m., ABC

  • ALWC, Game 2: Tigers at Guardians, 12:08 p.m., ESPN

  • ALWC, Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees, 5:08 p.m., ESPN

  • NLWC, Game 2: Reds at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 2

  • NLWC, Game 3 (if necessary): Padres at Cubs, 2:08 p.m., ABC

  • ALWC, Game 3 (if necessary): Tigers at Guardians, 12:08 p.m., ESPN

  • ALWC, Game 3 (if necessary): Red Sox at Yankees, 5:08 p.m., ESPN

  • NLWC, Game 3 (if necessary): Reds at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., ESPN

2025 ALDS and NLDS schedule

Best-of-five series

Saturday Oct. 4

  • NLDS Game 1 (Padres/Cubs at Brewers): TBS

  • NLDS Game 1 (Reds/Dodgers at Phillies): TBS

  • ALDS Game 1 (Red Sox/Yankees at Blue Jays): Fox/FS1

  • ALDS Game 1 (Tigers/Guardians at Mariners): Fox/FS1

Sunday, Oct. 5

  • ALDS Game 2 (Red Sox/Yankees at Blue Jays): Fox/FS1

  • ALDS Game 2 (Tigers/Guardians at Mariners): Fox/FS1

Monday, Oct. 6

  • NLDS Game 2 (Padres/Cubs at Brewers): TBS

  • NLDS Game 2 (Reds/Dodgers at Phillies): TBS

Tuesday, Oct. 7

  • ALDS Game 3 (Blue Jays at Red Sox/Yankees): Fox/FS1

  • ALDS Game 3 (Mariners at Tigers/Guardians): Fox/FS1

Wednesday, Oct. 8

  • *ALDS Game 4 (Blue Jays at Red Sox/Yankees): Fox/FS1

  • *ALDS Game 4 (Mariners at Tigers/Guardians): Fox/FS1

  • NLDS Game 3 (Brewers at Padres/Cubs): TBS

  • NLDS Game 3 (Phillies at Reds/Dodgers): TBS

*If necessary

Thursday, Oct. 9

  • *NLDS Game 4 (Brewers at Padres/Cubs): TBS

  • *NLDS Game 4 (Phillies at Reds/Dodgers): TBS

*If necessary

Friday, Oct. 10

  • *ALDS Game 5 (Red Sox/Yankees at Blue Jays): Fox/FS1

  • *ALDS Game 5 (Tigers/Guardians at Mariners): Fox/FS1

Saturday, Oct. 11

  • *NLDS Game 5 (Padres/Cubs at Brewers): TBS

  • *NLDS Game 5 (Reds/Dodgers at Phillies): TBS

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*If necessary

ALCS schedule 2025

Best-of-seven series hosted by the better seed.

  • Game 1, Sunday, Oct. 12: AL low at AL high, Fox/FS1

  • Game 2, Monday, Oct. 13: AL low at AL high, Fox/FS1

  • Game 3, Wednesday, Oct. 15: AL high at AL low, Fox/FS1

  • Game 4, Thursday, Oct. 16: AL high at AL low, Fox/FS1

  • *Game 5, Friday, Oct. 17: AL high at AL low, Fox/FS1

  • *Game 6, Sunday, Oct. 19: AL low at AL high: Fox/FS1

  • *Game 7, Monday, Oct. 20: AL low at AL high: Fox/FS1

*If necessary

NLCS schedule 2025

Best-of-seven series hosted by the better seed.

  • Game 1, Monday, Oct. 13: NL low at NL high, TBS

  • Game 2, Tuesday, Oct. 14: NL low at NL high, TBS

  • Game 3, Thursday, Oct. 16: NL high at NL low, TBS

  • Game 4, Friday, Oct. 17: NL high at NL low, TBS

  • *Game 5, Saturday, Oct. 18 NL high at NL low, TBS

  • *Game 6, Monday, Oct. 20: NL low at NL high, TBS

  • *Game 7, Tuesday, Oct. 21: NL low at NL high, TBS

*If necessary

When does the World Series begin?

The best-of-seven World Series begins on Friday, Oct. 24 at the home of the team with the better record.

  • Game 1, Friday, Oct. 24, Fox

  • Game 2, Saturday, Oct. 25, Fox

  • Game 3, Monday, Oct. 27, Fox

  • Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 28, Fox

  • *Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 29, Fox

  • *Game 6, Friday, Oct. 31, Fox

  • *Game 7, Saturday, Nov. 1, Fox

*If necessary

CONTRIBUTING: Akron Beacon Journal, Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What time is the Cubs game today: How to watch NL wild card playoffs

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