How to watch the Cubs vs. Padres in the Wild Card Series

For the second straight year, the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs will battle in the National League Wild Card Series.

Unlike last year, when the Cubs won in three games at Wrigley Field, this year’s series will take place at San Diego’s Petco Park, though the potential next opponent remains the same, as once again the winner of this series will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.

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The Cubs held a substantial lead over San Diego heading into September, but the Padres got red hot at the right time, and they secured the top wild card spot with their win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Now, Major League Baseball has announced the schedule for the Wild Card Series, and this is when you’ll be able to watch the Cubs on the NBC family of networks in the coming week.

Games 1 and 2

The first two games of the best-of-three series will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with first pitch set for 9 p.m. Central time.

The games will be available on Peacock, and will also air on NBCSN

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Game 3 Scenarios

Where things change is if the series goes to a third game, as the outcome of other series will determine when Game 3 would be played.

If all four series go three games

In the event all three series require a third game, Game 3 between the Cubs and Padres would be played on Thursday at 9 p.m., with the game airing on NBCSN and Peacock.

If the other National League series is over

If the two American League series and the Cubs vs. Padres series go the full three games, then Game 3 would still take place on Thursday at 9 p.m.

If the Yankees vs. Red Sox series is over

If the series between the Yankees and Red Sox ends and the other three series are still going, the Cubs and Padres would play Game 3 on Thursday at 7 p.m., and the game would air on NBC Chicago and Peacock.

If the White Sox series is over

If the White Sox series with the American League West champion has ended, then the Cubs and Padres would play at 9 p.m. on Thursday.

If there are only two series still going

If the Cubs and Padres are one of only two series that are still going, they would most likely play at 7 p.m. on NBC and Peacock. If the other series that is still going is the series involving the Yankees and Red Sox, then the Cubs and Padres would play at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, with the game airing on NBC and Peacock.

If Cubs vs. Padres is the only series still going

If the other three series are two game sweeps and the Cubs and Padres have to play a final game, that contest would be played at 7 p.m. on Thursday.