Cardinals vs Cubs Live Stream: Lineups, Odds & How to Watch Tonight

First pitch in today’s Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals showdown at Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. CT, and the stakes could not be higher for a Cubs club clinging to National League Wild Card hopes. Chicago (89-70) enters the final weekend seven games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central but in control of its own postseason destiny, while St. Louis (78-81) embraces the spoiler role after an uneven season. Cubs vs Cardinals game details • Date: Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 • Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago • First pitch: 2:20 p.m. CT (3:20 p.m. ET) • TV channel: MLB Network (out-of-market); Marquee Sports Network in Chicagoland; Bally Sports Midwest in St. Louis • Live stream: MLB.tv, Fubo, DirecTV Stream (free-trial options available) • Weather: 78 °F, light breeze off Lake Michigan Probable pitchers • Cubs – RHP Colin Rea (10-7, 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) • Cardinals – RHP Miles Mikolas (8-10, 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) Rea has delivered six straight quality starts, while Mikolas allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five outings. Head-to-head & recent form • Season series: Cubs lead 2-1 (games on July 4-6). • Cubs last 5: 1-4, struggling bullpen (6.85 ERA). • Cardinals last 5: 3-2, offense averaging 5.2 R/G. Chicago’s Nico Hoerner (.299 AVG) and Seiya Suzuki (29 HR, 97 RBI) pace a lineup that ranks 4th in NL OBP (.320). St. Louis counters with Alec Burleson (.293 AVG) and veteran slugger Willson Contreras (20 HR, 80 RBI). Playoff picture • Cubs: Lead second Wild Card by 1½ games. Magic number to clinch = 2. • Cardinals: Eliminated, but a series win would secure a winning record against Chicago for the fifth time in seven years. Key storylines to watch 1. Rea vs the Redbirds: The right-hander has held St. Louis to a .215 average in two career starts. 2. Miles in the zone? Mikolas owns a 2.95 ERA over 18⅓ innings at Wrigley since 2023. 3. Bullpen chess: Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay (29 SV) vs Cards fireman Giovanny Gallegos (14 SV) in the late innings. 4. Rookie race: Chicago’s Cade Horton (likely Saturday starter) remains in NL Rookie of the Year chatter. 5. Weather factor: Warm temps and a 10 mph wind blowing out to left could boost the home-run potential. Injury updates • Cubs: C Miguel Amaya (illness) and OF Owen Caissie (ankle) on 10-day IL; both could return this weekend. • Cardinals: SS Masyn Winn (wrist) done for season; C Willson Contreras (hamstring) limited to DH duties. How to watch safely Fans near Wrigley can still land $29 tickets via verified marketplaces, but nationwide viewers can stream Cubs vs Cardinals live on MLB.tv (blackout rules apply) or via any provider carrying MLB Network. Search-friendly quick hits • Cubs vs Cardinals live stream free • Start time for Cardinals at Cubs today • Cubs playoff odds September 26 2025 • Cardinals vs Cubs pitching matchup Mikolas vs Rea • Wrigley Field weather today The Cubs need two wins this weekend to punch their ticket; the Cardinals would love nothing more than to delay that celebration. Expect a packed Wrigley rooftop scene and playoff-level intensity as the Midwest’s oldest rivalry writes another chapter.