The San Diego Padres have earned a place in the National League Division Series (NLDS) after a decisive wild‑card series victory over the Chicago Cubs. Over the course of three games, the Padres’ pitching staff limited the Cubs to a single run across 18 innings, showcasing the strong mound performance that has defined San Diego’s postseason run.
Series recap
Game 1 saw the Padres jump ahead early, with timely hitting and solid defense. The Cubs fought back but could not overcome the Padres’ early lead. In Game 2, San Diego’s bullpen continued to dominate, shutting down Chicago’s offense and preserving a narrow margin. The decisive Game 3 featured a masterful pitching display, allowing just one run and sealing the series for the Padres.
Next opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
Advancing to the NLDS, the Padres will travel to Milwaukee to meet the Brewers, who posted the league’s best record this season with 102 victories. The Brewers secured home‑field advantage for the series, meaning the first two games will be played at Miller Park on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4. Games 3 and 4 shift to San Diego’s Petco Park on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, with a potential Game 5 back in Milwaukee on Oct. 9.
Ticket information
Fans can purchase tickets for the NLDS through the official MLB ticket portal. Prices start at $127 for the San Diego home games and range from $131 to $162 for the Milwaukee matchups. The schedule is as follows:
- Game 1 – Saturday, Oct. 3 in Milwaukee – starting at $134
- Game 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4 in Milwaukee – starting at $131
- Game 3 – Tuesday, Oct. 6 in San Diego – starting at $127
- Game 4* – Wednesday, Oct. 7 in San Diego – starting at $161
- Game 5* – Friday, Oct. 9 in Milwaukee – starting at $162
The asterisk indicates that Games 4 and 5 are only necessary if the series extends to the full five games.
Season context
The 2026 MLB season began on March 25 with Opening Night and progressed through the All‑Star break in mid‑July. The postseason kicked off on Sept. 29, and the NLDS marks the first round of the playoff bracket for both clubs. The winner of the Padres‑Brewers matchup will move on to the National League Championship Series, slated to begin on Oct. 11.
Looking ahead
San Diego’s postseason success reflects a season of strong pitching and timely hitting, while Milwaukee’s record‑setting performance underscores their consistency throughout the regular season. Baseball fans across the country can look forward to a competitive series that pits the Padres’ resilient bullpen against the Brewers’ potent offense.
For the latest ticket updates, pricing changes, and game‑day information, visit the official MLB ticketing site or follow the teams’ social media channels.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
