Cubs and Padres renew Wild Card matchup with Boyd against King in Game 1

The Cubs and Padres open their National League Wild Card rematch Tuesday at Petco Park with a new pitching pairing and the same short-series pressure. Chicago named left-hander Matthew Boyd for Game 1 on Monday; San Diego will start right-hander Michael King. First pitch is scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern, with NBCSN and Peacock carrying the game. The first team to win two games advances to face Milwaukee in the Division Series.

A year ago, Chicago eliminated San Diego in a three-game Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field. The games were separated by one run in total. The venue flips this time after the Padres secured the No. 4 seed and home field by beating Arizona on Saturday. San Diego finished 91-71, while Chicago finished 89-73, according to NBC Sports.

King went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA this season, giving the Padres a settled opener even while the next two assignments remain flexible. Nick Pivetta is the likeliest Game 2 option in MLB’s series preview, with Robbie Ray and Walker Buehler candidates if a deciding game is needed. Boyd finished 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA. Chicago has several possible pitchers behind him, but Kevin Gausman’s soreness in his non-throwing shoulder leaves his availability under observation. Neither club should be assigned an unannounced Game 2 starter yet.

The lineup decisions are just as important as the starters. Pete Crow-Armstrong finished with 45 home runs and 41 steals, and Alex Bregman returned to the Cubs’ lineup late in the season after facial fractures. MLB’s preview says Bregman could play third base or remain the designated hitter. San Diego counters with Manny Machado, who hit his 30th homer on Saturday, plus Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. Those names describe the likely core, not a confirmed Tuesday batting order.

There are two competing regular-season clues. Chicago won five of its six games against San Diego, though its 55-28 run advantage was heavily shaped by one 23-3 victory. The Padres’ offense, meanwhile, tied for baseball’s best production by wRC+ from the start of September, according to MLB. Neither number decides a new best-of-three series. Boyd and King set the first matchup; bullpen choices, late lineup availability and one swing can rapidly change it.