Here is the Pickwatch BetSmart Preview for the San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Round in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs Game Info

Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Time: 5:08 p.m. ET
Location: Wrigley Field — Chicago, Illinois
TV: ABC

Padres vs. Cubs Betting Info

Spread / Run Line
- Padres -1.5 (+168)
- Cubs +1.5 (-205)
Moneyline
- Padres -102
- Cubs +116
Total (Over/Under)
- Over 7.5 (+102)
- Under 7.5 (-124)

*Odds via FanDuel

Season Betting Trends

Moneyline
- Padres: 91-73
- Cubs: 93-71
Run Line
- Padres: 90-74
- Cubs: 77-87
Totals (Over-Under)
- Padres: 70-89-5
- Cubs: 74-77-13

San Diego Padres @ Chicago Cubs Game 3 Preview

This is a winner-takes-all Game 3 in front of a raucous Wrigley crowd. The Cubs will send Jameson Taillon to the mound, a veteran righty who’s been strong down the stretch.

The Padres counter with Yu Darvish, a former Cub, who carries postseason pedigree—even if his 2025 season has had ups and downs. Their bullpen will again be under the microscope, especially having used top arms in Games 1 & 2 (Mason Miller, Adrian Morejón, Robert Suárez).

Chicago’s lineup has struggled to get going, especially with limited contributions from power hitters. If they can jump on Darvish early, it could swing momentum. But the Padres’ ability to manufacture runs and their bullpen depth remain dangerous. Darvish’s command and stamina will be key.

Expert previews lean toward Chicago (−118) with the total set at 7.5, expecting a tightly contested, bullpen-driven affair.

Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The Chicago Cubs lead the all-time series 285-240 against the Padres. Here are the last 5 matchups:

Padres 3, Cubs 0 — October 1, 2025
Cubs 3, Padres 1 — September 30, 2025
Padres 4, Cubs 2 — April 16, 2025
Padres 10, Cubs 4 — April 14, 2025
Cubs 5, Padres 2 — April 6, 2025

BetSmart Betting Rundown

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Arbitrage

Our Arbitrage Betting Tool is currently not identifying any arbitrage betting opportunities for guaranteed profit. The tool scans all major sportsbooks in real-time, though, so be sure to check back often as odds and lines change often, and an arbitrage opportunity could still become available before the first pitch.

Middles

Our Middle Betting Tool has identified 1 middle betting opportunity. The tool scans all major sportsbooks in real-time, though, so be sure to check back often as odds and lines change often, and additional middle bet opportunities could still become available before the first pitch.

Positive EV

Our Positive EV Betting Tool has identified 2 different positive expected value wagers, and provided data on the expected value percentrage, suggested Kelly Stake, and how often the bet has hit in the last 5, 10 and 15 games.

Player Props

Our Prop Finder Tool has identified over 200 different player prop bets, and provided data on how often each player has hit the specific prop in the last 5, 10 and 15 games.

Padres vs. Cubs: Expert Picks

Visit our Expert Picks page to view picks and data from experts to see where the consensus is on the Padres vs. Cubs moneyline, run line and total.