Cubs Name Boyd Game 1 Starter in San Diego Wild Card Rematch

Key points

• Craig Counsell confirmed Matthew Boyd will start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series against the Padres.
• Kevin Gausman is expected to start Game 2 after suffering a non-throwing shoulder injury last week.
• The Cubs finished the regular season with an 89-73 record, 14 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
• The series is a rematch of the 2025 Wild Card round, which the Cubs lost in three games at Wrigley Field.
• Alex Bregman is likely to play exclusively as a designated hitter to protect his facial injuries.
• The Padres have a 51-30 home record and a strong atmosphere at Petco Park.

Background

The Cubs secured their 2026 playoff berth on September 24, 2026, with a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins, where Matthew Boyd delivered a strong performance. The team finished the regular season with an 89-73 record, placing them in second place in the Wild Card race. The 2025 Wild Card series between the Cubs and Padres was decided by a single run over three games, with the Cubs losing at Wrigley Field. The 2026 series is the third postseason meeting between the two teams, with the first occurring in the 1984 NLCS.

How outlets are covering it

Bleacher Nation emphasizes the strategic logic behind selecting Boyd, highlighting his recent strong performance (3.28 ERA in his last six starts) and the Padres' weakness against left-handed pitching. The Chicago Tribune focuses on the broader context of the rematch, the impact of Alex Bregman's return to form, and the potential role of Kevin Gausman in Game 2. NBC 7 San Diego provides logistical details on how to watch the series and highlights the Padres' strong home record and fan atmosphere. The sources agree on the starting pitchers for Games 1 and 2 but differ in emphasis: Bleacher Nation focuses on the pitching matchup, the Tribune on the team's overall readiness and key players, and NBC 7 on the broadcast and venue factors.

Why it matters

The outcome of this Wild Card series will determine whether the Cubs advance to the NL Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who finished the regular season with the best record in MLB. The series also highlights the importance of strategic pitching decisions in the playoffs, with the Cubs balancing the need for a strong Game 1 starter with the potential return of Kevin Gausman. The rematch of the 2025 Wild Card series adds historical significance, with both teams seeking to avenge their previous loss. The series also underscores the impact of player injuries and health concerns, such as Kevin Gausman's shoulder and Alex Bregman's facial fractures, on playoff decisions.

What to watch

The Cubs and Padres will begin their Wild Card series on Tuesday at Petco Park, with Game 1 starting at 9 p.m. Chicago time. The series will be broadcast on Peacock and NBCSN. If the Cubs win the series, they will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series, which starts on October 3. The Cubs will also need to determine the status of Kevin Gausman for Game 2 and the potential role of Shota Imanaga in the series. The Padres will start Michael King in Game 1, and the series will likely be decided by the performance of key players like Alex Bregman and Pete Crow-Armstrong.