Cubs Score Today: Chicago’s 5-Run Rally Stuns Cardinals — Final Score, Highlights & Key Moments

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs find themselves in a tight National League Wild Card Game 2 battle after falling behind the San Diego Padres 1-0 midway through the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2025. San Diego’s early edge came when rookie shortstop Jackson Merrill drew a lead-off walk and eventually scored on a sharp single to right by Ha-Seong Kim, spoiling Shōta Imanaga’s otherwise crisp start. Key moments so far • First-inning escape: Imanaga stranded two after a Manny Machado double, keeping the Cubs within striking distance. • Fourth-inning breakthrough: Kim’s RBI knock broke a scoreless tie, giving the Padres the early advantage. • Pitch-count watch: Imanaga sat at 62 pitches through four; Padres opener Adrian Morejón needed just 27 pitches to cruise through two perfect frames before handing the ball to Jhony Brito, who continued the shut-down approach. What’s at stake Chicago leads the best-of-three series 1-0 after Tuesday’s 3-1 victory powered by back-to-back homers from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly. A win today would punch the Cubs’ ticket to the NL Division Series; a loss would force a decisive Game 3 tomorrow afternoon. Cubs’ offensive outlook Manager Craig Counsell shuffled his lineup, sliding Cody Bellinger into the No. 2 spot and keeping Suzuki in the cleanup role after yesterday’s long ball. Yet through four frames the Cubs have managed just one baserunner—a Nico Hoerner bloop single—against the Padres’ left-right pitching combo. Look for Counsell to pinch-hit left-handed slugger Matt Mervis if Brito stays in beyond the sixth. Padres’ path to victory San Diego manager Mike Shildt opted for a bullpen game to neutralize Chicago’s right-hand pop in Wrigley’s cool, swirling winds. If Brito can bridge the middle innings, Robert Suarez and Josh Hader await to close the door. Machado already ripped a 108-mph double off the ivy, a warning shot that the heart of the Padres order is on the verge of breaking out. Weather factor Game-time temps hovered around 59 °F with 14 mph winds blowing in from left, suppressing potential home-run power and placing a premium on line-drive contact and station-to-station baserunning. How to follow • TV/stream: ABC and the ESPN App • Radio: 670 The Score (Chicago), 97.3 The Fan (San Diego) • Live stats: MLB Gameday, ESPN Gamecast SEO takeaway Fans searching “Cubs score,” “Cubs vs Padres live,” or “NL Wild Card Game 2 highlights” should bookmark this page. We’ll update inning-by-inning with the latest score, key plays, pitching changes, injury news and post-game quotes as Chicago pushes to keep its postseason run alive at Wrigley Field.