The San Diego Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-0 in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.
The winner will move on to the Divisional Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers, starting on Saturday.
Here is a quick rundown on how to watch and listen to Thursday’s Game 3 at Wrigley Field.
Game time: First pitch is scheduled for 12:08 p.m. PDT. Game 3 might get pushed back if any of the other Wild Card Series games end on Wednesday night. Padres pitcher Yu Darvish is slated to start Game 3. Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start for the Cubs.
On TV: The Wild-Card Series will be broadcast on ABC if Game 3 begins at 12:08 p.m., but could get moved to another time or channel, based on the results of other Wild Card Series ending on Wednesday, which may or may not need to go to their own Game 3. Calling the Padres and Cubs series are Kevin Brown, Jessica Mendoza and Ben McDonald, with Jesse Rogers reporting from the field. ESPN Deportes will broadcast the games in Spanish.
Radio: The Friar Faithful can listen to all Padres playoff games on the radio via 97.3 The Fan, or the Audacy app with Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr. on the call. ESPN Radio will also carry the game with Mike Couzens and Chris Burke. In Spanish, XEMO 860 will broadcast the game with Eduardo Ortega and Carlos Hernandez on the call.
Stream: Fans can also stream all MLB Wild Card Series games on the ESPN App by logging into their account or cable/satellite provider subscription.
Watch parties: The Padres are hosting a watch party at Gallagher Square for Game 3. The games will be broadcast on the 75-foot wide videoboard on the Sycuan Stage, behind the Petco Park batter’s eye. The public can purchase up to four $5 tickets per household for each watch party at padres.com/watchparty. Concession stands will be selling food and beverages. The children’s miniature baseball field and the kids’ playground in Gallagher’s Square will also be accessible. Gates will open one hour before the first pitch.
Several sports bars and restaurants in San Diego County are promoting watch parties and specials during Padres postseason games. Here are a few of the options.
- Brickmans will be serving game-day specials during Padres playoff games at its restaurant and bar in San Marcos. The food and drink lineup includes 16-ounce draft beers in aluminum baseball cups for $5, ice cream sundaes in a baseball helmet for $5, nachos for $8 and three types of specialty hot dogs for $9 each. Brickmans will show the wildcard games on 11 televisions with the game’s broadcast sound on. 1750 San Pablo Drive, San Marcos.
- Werewolf American Pub is giving free shots every time the Padres score a run during wild card games this week. Plus, there will be $2 house beers for an hour after the game if the team wins. And the game sound will be on. 627 Fourth Ave., San Diego.
- Grand Ole BBQ in North Park and El Cajon are showing the wild card games with deals on food and drinks. Customers can get $3 ballpark-style nachos and draft beers and Topo Chico margaritas are $5 each during the games. 3302 32nd St., San Diego. 15505 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon.
- The Field Irish Pub is serving up Wild-Card series specials throughout its watch parties. These include draft beers for $6 or $7, a $9 paloma cocktail, $10 garlic wings and a $15 quarter-pound cheeseburger. 544 Fifth Ave., San Diego.