Padres Host Watch Parties During Cubs Wild Card

The San Diego Padres open a best-of-three National League Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, with right-hander Nick Pivetta starting Game 1 against Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd; Games 1 and 2 begin at 2:08 p.m. CT (12:08 p.m. PT) and will air nationally on ABC. San Diego's 26-man roster carries three catchers after Elias Díaz suffered an oblique injury, with Freddy Fermin expected to handle most of the catching while Martin Maldonado and Luis Campusano provide right-handed bench options. Outfielder Ramón Laureano is out with a fractured finger and Gavin Sheets will take his place in left, and Yuki Matsui was omitted from the wild-card roster. The pitching staff includes all five starters and a deep bullpen headlined by Mason Miller and closer Robert Suárez. The Padres will host watch parties at Gallagher Square in Petco Park for Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), and if they advance would face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series; Chicago earned home-field advantage.