Updated: October 01, 2025, 10:45 a.m. ET
The Chicago Cubs face the San Diego Padres in a National League matchup on October 01, 2025. Here’s what to know: where to watch the Cubs game today, TV and streaming options for the Padres game today, radio info, probable lineups, and how to follow live score updates. We also lay out what the game means in the standings and the next key dates on the Cubs schedule and Padres slate.
What happened
The Cubs and Padres are scheduled to meet on October 01, 2025, per the MLB team schedules. Exact first pitch and broadcast details can shift based on venue and network selections, so confirm on official listings before game time, according to MLB and team outlets [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/schedule]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]].
TV and streaming:
- Cubs regional TV: Marquee Sports Network carries most Chicago Cubs regular-season telecasts; check the live programming grid for game-specific coverage [[source:https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/schedule/]].
- Padres regional TV: The Padres’ local broadcasts and MLB-managed distribution details are listed on the club’s schedule and broadcast pages; availability may vary by market [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]].
- Out-of-market streaming: MLB.TV streams out-of-market games; in-market games remain subject to local rights and blackout rules, per MLB [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]].
Radio:
- Cubs radio: 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) is the Cubs’ flagship, with availability via the Audacy app in the team’s broadcast territory [[source:https://www.audacy.com/670thescore]].
- Padres radio: 97.3 The Fan (KWFN-FM) in San Diego and affiliates carry the Padres’ call, with streaming options listed by the station and MLB Audio [[source:https://www.973thefansd.com/]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]].
Live scores and gamecast: You can track pitch-by-pitch updates and box scores on MLB’s scoreboard and major outlets’ gamecast pages [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]] [[source:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb]].
Why it matters
This Padres vs Cubs game affects playoff positioning, tie-breakers, and player usage as clubs manage workloads and injuries. It also matters to viewers because regional sports network carriage and MLB streaming rules can change what channel the Cubs game is on and where the Padres game is available. Checking official listings on game day reduces surprises [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]].
For the Chicago Cubs, the matchup influences the Cubs schedule’s tougher stretches, bullpen leverage roles, and potential rest days for key bats. For the San Diego Padres, it’s a barometer against another NL opponent, informing rotation alignment and late-inning matchups. If the teams are in Wild Card or division races, head-to-head results can swing postseason odds and tie-breaking procedures, which use head-to-head records before moving to intradivision and intraleague criteria (per MLB rules) [[source:https://www.mlb.com/standings]].
Context & background
About the clubs:
- Chicago Cubs — A National League Central mainstay with home games at Wrigley Field and regional TV on Marquee Sports Network. Cubs radio coverage is anchored by 670 The Score [[source:https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/schedule/]] [[source:https://www.audacy.com/670thescore]].
- San Diego Padres — A National League West club playing at Petco Park, with radio on 97.3 The Fan. The Padres’ local TV model has included MLB-managed distribution in recent seasons; always verify current-season access paths [[source:https://www.973thefansd.com/]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]].
Broadcast and streaming notes: MLB.TV offers out-of-market streaming for subscribers, while in-market viewing is controlled by local rights. Blackouts can apply based on your location and the game’s TV partner. MLB’s site lists current-season policies and how to watch options [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]].
On recency and verification: As of the publication time above, official MLB and team schedule pages are the most reliable listings for date and first pitch. If breaking changes (weather postponements, flexes, or national TV picks) occur within hours of first pitch, MLB and team accounts will post updates. Today’s coverage draws on official MLB and team sources and the AP MLB hub; if no additional outlet updates were published within the past four hours, we expanded the verification window to recent official schedule updates and same-day listings [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/schedule]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]] [[source:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb]].
Roster and lineup watch: Catcher usage, infield platoons, and late-inning bullpen roles often shift in this matchup based on handedness and ballpark factors. If catcher Carson Kelly is on the active roster and in the starting mix, his game-time status will appear on the official lineup cards about 90–120 minutes before first pitch, posted by MLB and the clubs [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]].
How to watch Padres vs Cubs (step-by-step)
- Check the official game time: Open the MLB Cubs or Padres schedule pages for the October 01, 2025 listing [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/schedule]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]].
- Find your TV channel: If you’re in the Chicago TV market, look for Marquee Sports Network; in San Diego, check the club’s broadcast guidance.
- Confirm streaming availability: If you’re out of market, use MLB.TV; in-market streams may be available via authenticated apps where rights permit [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]].
- Set up radio as backup: Cubs on 670 The Score; Padres on 97.3 The Fan. Use the Audacy app or station streams per market rules [[source:https://www.audacy.com/670thescore]] [[source:https://www.973thefansd.com/]].
- Refresh lineups: Official batting orders post ~90 minutes before first pitch on MLB’s scoreboard [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]].
Padres vs Cubs: TV, stream, radio at a glance
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Regional TV (Marquee/club partner) | Local pre/postgame shows; HD feed; standard access for cable/satellite/VMVPD subscribers | Availability depends on your provider; possible carriage gaps in some markets |
| MLB.TV (out-of-market) | Stream anywhere out of market; pause/rewind; multi-game; condensed game replays | Blackouts in local markets; subscription required |
| Radio (670 The Score / 97.3 The Fan) | Free over-the-air; low data usage; great for multitasking or driving | Audio-only; streaming subject to market restrictions |
| National TV (if selected) | Wider availability; alternate production and angles | May supersede local feeds; streaming logins vary by network |
Lineups, pitching plans, and game flow
Probable pitchers and starting lineups usually publish the morning of the game and are finalized about 90–120 minutes before first pitch. Managers can adjust due to late injuries, bullpen usage, or weather. Verify with MLB’s scoreboard and team accounts shortly before the game for the most accurate information [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]].
Ballpark context: Wrigley Field’s wind and Petco Park’s marine layer can meaningfully influence scoring. If the game is in Chicago, monitor wind direction/speed reports near first pitch; if in San Diego, ball tends to carry a bit better in warmer, drier conditions at day’s end. None of these replace official game notes but they are common context points used by broadcasters and analysts.
What to watch next
Keep an eye on these checkpoints for the Padres vs Cubs matchup and beyond:
Upcoming timeline
- October 01, 2025: Confirm first pitch time and starting lineups via MLB’s scoreboard ~90 minutes before the game [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]].
- October 01, 2025: Monitor any weather advisories or broadcast updates from MLB and team accounts in the hours before first pitch [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres]].
- October 02–03, 2025: Series continues or travel day (check official schedules for exact dates and times) [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/schedule]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]].
- October 2025: Postseason seeding windows and potential Wild Card dates, if applicable, per MLB calendar [[source:https://www.mlb.com/postseason]].
How to follow live during the game
- Use MLB’s live gamecast for pitch-by-pitch data, box score, and win probability [[source:https://www.mlb.com/scores]].
- Toggle to radio during commercials or if TV access is limited (670 The Score for Cubs, 97.3 The Fan for Padres).
- Check postgame recaps from AP, MLB, and team sites for official quotes and injury updates [[source:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb]] [[source:https://www.mlb.com/news]].
Quick resources
- MLB.TV help and blackout rules [[source:https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games]]
- Cubs schedule and broadcast info [[source:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/schedule]] [[source:https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/schedule/]]
- Padres schedule and broadcast info [[source:https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule]]
- Standings and tiebreakers overview [[source:https://www.mlb.com/standings]]
Related reading:
- The Padres vs Cubs game is set for October 01, 2025; verify exact first pitch and channel on official MLB and team listings.
- In-market TV is via the teams’ regional partners; out-of-market streaming is on MLB.TV, subject to blackouts.
- Radio coverage: Cubs on 670 The Score; Padres on 97.3 The Fan.
- Final lineups and probable pitchers usually post 90–120 minutes before first pitch.
- Check MLB and AP for live scores, postgame quotes, and any injury updates.
Legal & Editorial Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Facts and figures are based on the cited sources as of the publication date and may change. No warranties are made regarding completeness or accuracy. The publisher and author disclaim any liability for actions taken based on this content. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners. If you believe any material infringes your rights, please contact us for review or removal.
