Padres vs. Cubs

The first series set in stone for the 2025 MLB playoffs was Padres vs. Cubs. With moving parts in both leagues on the final day of the regular season, the 4 vs. 5 matchup in the Senior Circuit brings the top two Wild Card teams to Wrigley Field for a best-of-three set beginning on Tuesday, September 30.

Neither one of these teams had to sweat a playoff berth. The Padres seemed to have a shot at the NL West crown for a while, but never got higher than 42.5% to win it per FanGraphs’ playoff odds. The Cubs were actually the favorites per FG to win the NL Central until late early August when everything flipped and the Brewers coasted to the division crown and the No. 1 seed.

Maybe it matters that the Cubs were only 34-31 in the second half after a blistering 57-39 start prio

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