# Cubs-Padres Wild Card Series Preview

> Padres and Cubs face rematch in NL Wild Card Series with key pitching matchups.
- Title: Cubs-Padres Wild Card Series Preview · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Padres and Cubs face rematch in NL Wild Card Series with key pitching matchups. The Padres and Cubs will compete in a National League Wild Card Series, with…
- Keywords: cubs, padres, mlb, wild card series, nfl, pitching matchup, game 1, petco park, wrigley field, michael king, matthew boyd, postseason
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/cubs-vs-padres-wild-card-series-lineups-and-pitching-matchup
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cubs, padres, mlb, wild card series, nfl, pitching matchup, game 1, petco park, wrigley field, michael king, matthew boyd, postseason
## Wild Card Series Rematch
The Padres and Cubs will meet in the National League Wild Card Series for the second consecutive year, beginning Tuesday with Game 1 at Petco Park.
## Series Impact
The winner of the series will face the Brewers in the NL Division Series, continuing the rivalry from last year's postseason.
## Padres Manager Stance
Padres manager Craig Stammen said the series should be 'a great series' with tightly contested games, noting the Cubs knocked them out of the postseason last year.

> Should be a great series
## Cubs Player Perspective
Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd described the Padres as 'one of the hottest teams in baseball the past few weeks' with a strong clubhouse dynamic.

> They’re one of the hottest teams in baseball the past few weeks
## Starting Pitchers
Cubs' Matthew Boyd (10-5, 3.91 ERA) faces Padres' Michael King (3.21 ERA, 185 IP) in Game 1, with multiple rotation options for Game 2 or 3.
## Cubs Lineup
Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs with 40+ homers and 40+ steals, while Alex Bregman returns from a foul ball injury after clearing all worst-case scenarios.
## Padres Lineup
The Padres feature Fernando Tatis Jr. with 25 home runs and Jackson Merrill in a recent hot streak, with Austin Hays as the DH.
## Bullpen Options
The Cubs have multiple bullpen options including Daniel Palencia and Ryan Rolison, while the Padres use Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon for the ninth inning.
## Injury Updates
Cubs' Kevin Gausman has soreness in his non-throwing shoulder, while Bregman returned from a foul ball injury after clearing all worst-case scenarios.
## Recent Form
The Padres' offense has improved significantly since September, with Fernando Tatis Jr. hitting 25 home runs and Jackson Merrill in a recent hot streak.
## Historical Context
The Cubs and Padres have met twice in the postseason, with each team winning four games across two series.
## Postseason Experience
Bregman has played in 10 straight postseason games, joining a list of players with at least 10 consecutive postseason appearances.
## Rookie Catcher
Padres' rookie catcher Ethan Salas, 20 years, 120 days old, could become the youngest player to catch a postseason game in MLB history.
## Key takeaway

The Padres and Cubs will compete in a National League Wild Card Series, with the Padres' Michael King facing the Cubs' Matthew Boyd in Game 1.