San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs Betting Pick & Prediction for NL Wild Card Game 3 on 10/2

MLB game preview

The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs meet for Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series. The series is tied 1-1, and this game decides who moves on in the playoffs. The game takes place at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL, with a start time of 5:08 PM on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Yu Darvish will start for the Padres, bringing a 5.38 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. On the other side, Jameson Taillon will pitch for the Cubs, with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. The game airs on ESPN, and the weather forecast indicates overcast clouds with a light breeze. This game marks a pivotal moment in the series for both teams.

San Diego Padres Team Preview

The San Diego Padres recently won against the Chicago Cubs on October 1st, 2025, with a score of 3-0. Manny Machado hit a home run, and Fernando Tatis Jr. scored two runs. Dylan Cease was the starting pitcher, allowing no earned runs and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings.

In the game on September 30th, 2025, the Padres lost to the Cubs 3-1. Nick Pivetta pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out nine. Xander Bogaerts contributed with an RBI double, but the team only managed four hits in total.

The Padres had a strong performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 28th, 2025, winning 12-4. Jackson Merrill drove in three runs with two doubles, and Manny Machado hit a home run. JP Sears started the game, allowing two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Padres vs Cubs Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
  • Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
  • Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Padres Moneyline -103, Cubs Moneyline -115

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs are coming off a recent loss to the San Diego Padres. They were unable to score in that game, ending with a 3-0 defeat. Andrew Kittredge started for the Cubs, pitching just one inning and giving up one earned run.

Despite the recent loss, the Cubs had strong performances earlier. They won a game against the Padres 3-1, hitting two home runs. Matthew Boyd pitched well, allowing only one earned run in over four innings.

In the regular season, the Cubs had a solid hitting lineup. Michael Busch leads the team with 34 home runs. Nico Hoerner boasts a high batting average of .297, providing consistent production at the plate.

BTB Betting Pick

The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are set for a game. The Padres have a slight edge with a moneyline of -103 compared to the Cubs at -115. The Padres’ strong batting average and pitching stats suggest they will win. Our pick is the Padres to win with a projected score of Padres 4, Cubs 3.

The total for the game is set at 7.5 runs. The Padres and Cubs both have solid pitching and moderate hitting stats. This indicates a low-scoring game. We recommend betting on the under 7.5 runs, with the projected total score being 7 runs.