The Cubs and Padres have a familiar rivalry when it comes to October baseball. For the second consecutive year, these teams are set to clash in the National League wild-card round, with Chicago aiming to replicate last year’s playoff victory over San Diego. The big question now is whether the Padres can turn things around in 2026.
Let’s explore the current odds for this series at DraftKings Sportsbook as of September 28, along with key details to know.
NL Wild Card: Padres vs. Cubs
Series Winner Odds:
- Padres: -120 (Bet $10 to win $18.33 total)
- Cubs: +100 (Bet $10 to win $20 total)
Correct Score Odds:
- Padres win 2-1: +245 (Bet $10 to win $34.50 total)
- Padres win 2-0: +260 (Bet $10 to win $36 total)
- Cubs win 2-0: +275 (Bet $10 to win $37.50 total)
- Cubs win 2-1: +290 (Bet $10 to win $39 total)
Game 1 (Sept. 30) Odds:
- Spread: Padres -1.5
- Moneyline: Padres -126, Cubs +114
- Over/Under (O/U): 7
Here’s what you should know about the Padres-Cubs matchup:
Season Series Recap: The Cubs dominated this year’s regular season series against the Padres, winning five out of six games. In late April at Petco Park, Chicago took two of three games, losing just one. Then, at Wrigley Field from June 29 to July 1, the Cubs swept San Diego with scores of 3-2, 9-7, and an overwhelming 23-3 victory in the finale.
Wild-Card Rematch: Chicago won last year’s wild-card round against San Diego 2-1, playing at their home field, Wrigley. This year, the action moves to Petco Park. With Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout performance this summer and potential MVP candidacy, the Padres have surged as one of baseball’s hottest teams. They boast MLB’s best record since July 24, winning eight of their last 10 games and going 43-23 after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Cubs feature one of the most potent lineups in the league, leading MLB in multiple offensive categories like runs, RBIs, walks, slugging, and OPS. However, Chicago’s bullpen struggles may prove crucial to the series outcome.
Fan Take: This rematch highlights a burgeoning rivalry that offers compelling storylines both on and off the field, reflecting the high stakes of postseason baseball. For fans, the duel between a surging Padres squad and a powerful Cubs lineup showcases the excitement and unpredictability that makes October baseball special, signaling a thrilling continuation of the sport’s rich postseason tradition.
Source: www.foxsports.com
