Cubs Ride Back-to-Back Homers to Wild Card Game 1 Victory Over Padres

The Chicago Cubs kicked off their 2025 National League Wild Card Series with a resounding 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, September 30, at Wrigley Field. Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly delivered the decisive blow with back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning, propelling the Cubs to their first playoff victory since the 2017 National League Championship Series.

Suzuki and Kelly Ignite Cubs’ Offense

The Cubs entered the game as the top wild card seed, hosting the Padres in a best-of-three series that marked San Diego’s second consecutive postseason appearance. Despite early pressure from the Padres, Chicago’s bullpen and timely hitting sealed the win in front of 39,114 fans.

Suzuki, who had extended his home run streak to five games dating back to the regular season, tied the game at 1-1 with a 424-foot drive to left-center off Padres starter Nick Pivetta. Moments later, Kelly—a Chicago native—followed with a towering shot that just cleared the left-center wall, giving the Cubs a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.

“Simply put, it was fantastic,” Suzuki said through a translator. “You just felt the passion of the fans, them cheering us on. Rounding the bases, I felt some nerves, obviously, but great feeling overall.”

Kelly, who made his MLB postseason debut alongside Suzuki, echoed the sentiment. “a really good day for us,” he said. “Having a chance to clinch tomorrow and move to the next round is all you can ask for.”

Padres Struggle to Capitalize on Early Chances

The Padres struck first in the second inning, with Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts stringing together back-to-back doubles to take an early 1-0 lead. However, San Diego’s offense stalled after that, managing just three hits the rest of the way against a dominant Cubs pitching staff.

Pivetta, who struck out nine in five innings, was the hard-luck loser. The Cubs’ bullpen—led by Matthew Boyd and a quartet of relievers—shut down the Padres’ lineup, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out 10. Brad Keller earned the save in the ninth, closing the door on San Diego’s late rally.

Cubs Eye Series Clincher in Game 2

With the series now tilted in their favor, the Cubs will look to advance to the Division Series with a win in Game 2 on Wednesday, October 1. A victory would mark Chicago’s first postseason series win since 2017, ending a drought that included a wild-card sweep by the Miami Marlins in 2020.

The Padres, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to avoid an early exit. Despite their 90-72 regular-season record, San Diego’s offense went cold at the worst possible time, failing to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities.

Key Takeaways from Game 1

• Back-to-Back Bombs: Suzuki and Kelly’s fifth-inning homers marked the Cubs’ first back-to-back postseason homers since 2016, when Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler went deep against the Dodgers.
• Bullpen Brilliance: Chicago’s relievers combined for four scoreless innings, striking out 10 Padres batters after Boyd’s solid start.
• Padres’ Woes: San Diego left multiple runners in scoring position early but managed just one run on six hits after the second inning.
• Home Field Advantage: The Cubs’ 92-70 record earned them the top wild card spot, securing home-field advantage in the series.

What’s Next?

Game 2 of the Wild Card Series is set for Wednesday, October 1, at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will send Adrián Morejón to the mound in hopes of closing out the series, while the Padres will counter with Andrew Kittredge in a must-win situation.

For the Cubs, a win would not only advance them to the Division Series but also reignite postseason momentum after years of early exits. For the Padres, a loss would mark another disappointing conclude to a promising season.

FAQ

How did the Cubs win Game 1?

The Cubs won 3-1 on the strength of back-to-back home runs by Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly in the fifth inning. Their bullpen also delivered four scoreless innings to secure the victory.

Who were the standout players for the Cubs?

Suzuki and Kelly provided the offensive spark with their home runs, while the bullpen—led by Matthew Boyd and Brad Keller—shut down the Padres’ lineup after the second inning.

What’s the series format?

The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three matchup. The Cubs lead 1-0 after Game 1 and can clinch the series with a win in Game 2.

When is Game 2?

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 3:08 p.m. ET.