The Cubs didn’t show up for Game 1 of their wild-card series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night and now face elimination 24 hours later.
A sluggish start from Matthew Boyd put Chicago behind the 8-ball Tuesday night, and the Padres played the aggressor role to perfection from there.
San Diego notched 13 hits and scored in five different innings, never allowing the Cubs a chance to get off the mat.
Chicago will hope for a response behind Kevin Gausman on Wednesday night.
The Padres, who will counter with Nick Pivetta, are -144 favorites to eliminate the Cubbies in Game 2.
Cubs vs. Padres Game 2 odds, picks
They didn’t look like it Tuesday, but the Cubs were the best offense in baseball this year. Chicago led the MLB in wRC+, WAR, and OPS during the regular season.
It was pretty shocking to see the Cubs held hitless through seven innings in Game 1, especially going up against a pitcher who looked like a good matchup for them on paper.
Chicago will now face a much different challenge against Pivetta, who has sparkled since returning from the injured list for the Padres.
Pivetta has struck out 30 percent of the batters he’s faced in 34 ⅔ innings this season, and he’s not giving anything back in terms of walks. He’s issued just eight walks in his limited sample size.
The Cubs work counts better than anybody in the league, but Pivetta’s form should be worrisome for an offense that went dead silent in Game 1.
The Padres should have an easier time of it against Gausman. The veteran right-hander has plenty of postseason experience, but he’s been inconsistent in 2026 and is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury.
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His numbers in September, much like the Cubs’ offense, leave something to be desired.
The Padres rolled into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in baseball, and they continued their rhythm in Game 1. They have the edge on the mound on Wednesday night, but more importantly, their offense should be able to keep pace with the Cubs if the visitors spring to life.
There are more paths to victory for San Diego.
The Play: Padres moneyline (-144, FanDuel)
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
