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Photos from Game 2 of the National League wild-card series between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

  • Cubs face a win-or-go-home Game 3 after pivotal decision results in 3-0 Padres win
  • Cubs come up empty against Dylan Cease and a fireballing Padres bullpen in Game 2 loss
  • Column: Puzzling decision by manager Craig Counsell backfires, sending the Cubs to a do-or-die Game 3
  • Column: Flashback to 1984 as Cubs and Padres meet again in the postseason
  • Cubs’ Nico Hoerner takes consistency — and ‘competitive fire’ — into his 1st postseason game
  • Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada has come a long way since Cubs DFA’d him on his 25th birthday
    Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) heads to the locker room after a Game 2 loss to the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) heads to the locker room after a Game 2 loss to the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs fans try to rally the team as Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki steps to the plate in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs fans try to rally the team as Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki steps to the plate in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) walks through the dugout after flying out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Ian Happ walks through the dugout after flying out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) throws his bat to the ground after striking out to end the second inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) throws his bat to the ground after striking out to end the second inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez (left) and catcher Freddy Fermin celebrate after closing out the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez (left) and catcher Freddy Fermin celebrate after closing out the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with teammate Xander Bogaerts (2) after Tatis Jr. made a running catch of a fly ball hit by Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after Tatis made a running catch of Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner's fly ball in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres players celebrate after defeating the Chicago Cubs, 3-0, in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres players celebrate after defeating the Chicago Cubs, 3-0, in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Fans stand in the bleachers while the Cubs play the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Fans stand in the bleachers while the Cubs play the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga walks back to the dugout after the conclusion of the top of the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga walks back to the dugout after the conclusion of the top of the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. (right) after Machado hit a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. (right) after Machado hit a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after catching a ball from Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) during the eighth inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025.. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after catching a ball from Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) during the eighth inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025.. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki strikes out in the second inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki strikes out in the second inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado hits a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Padres' Manny Machado hits a 2-run home run off of Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after grounding out to end the fourth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after grounding out to end the fourth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga stands by as Padres third baseman Manny Machado, background, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga stands by as Padres third baseman Manny Machado, background, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after grounding out to end the fourth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after grounding out to end the fourth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) takes out Chicago Cubs pitcher Caleb Thielbar (24) during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) takes out Chicago Cubs pitcher Caleb Thielbar (24) during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado hits a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado hits a 2-run home run off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga in the fifth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Andrew Kittredge (59) walks to the dugout after the conclusion of the top of the first inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Andrew Kittredge (59) walks to the dugout after the conclusion of the top of the first inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez (4) falls while chasing a foul ball from Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) during the seventh inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez (4) falls while chasing a foul ball from Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) during the seventh inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and his teammates watch the action in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and his teammates watch the action in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) dives safely to second base past San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) catches a ball from San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) catches a ball from San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) during the third inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) walks on the mound during the third inning against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) walks on the mound during the third inning against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) scores off a sacrifice fly during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) scores off a sacrifice fly during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Andrew Kittredge delivers to the San Diego Padres in the first inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Andrew Kittredge delivers to the San Diego Padres in the first inning of Game 2 of the NL wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki catches a sacrifice fly from San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill during the first inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki catches a sacrifice fly from San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill during the first inning of Game 2 in the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    A Chicago police helicopter flies over Wrigley Field after the Cubs lost, 3-0, to the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    A Chicago police helicopter flies over Wrigley Field after the Cubs lost, 3-0, to the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell and his team stand for the national anthem before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell and his team stand for the national anthem before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs great Andre Dawson, left, has a laugh with Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd, right, before Dawson threw out a ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs great Andre Dawson, left, has a laugh with Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd, right, before Dawson threw out a ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Fans cheer before the Chicago Cubs play the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Fans cheer before the Chicago Cubs play the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs warm up on the field before they host the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs warm up on the field before they host the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Pete Crow-Armstrong fan Gabe Carver, 12, of Marion, stands outside Wrigley Field before attending Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Pete Crow-Armstrong fan Gabe Carver, 12, of Marion, stands outside Wrigley Field before attending Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson warms up before wild-card Game 2 against the Padres at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson warms up before wild-card Game 2 against the Padres at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Paul Margolis, of Palatine, takes a selfie outside of Wrigley Field before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Paul Margolis, of Palatine, takes a selfie outside of Wrigley Field before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    The centerfield scoreboard before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    The centerfield scoreboard before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs warm up for Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs warm up for Game 2 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Cubs manager Craig Counsell walks on the field before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Cubs manager Craig Counsell walks on the field before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs fans hang out at Murphy's Bleachers tavern outside of Wrigley Field before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Chicago Cubs fans hang out at Murphy’s Bleachers tavern outside of Wrigley Field before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Fans walk outside the ballpark before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Fans walk outside the ballpark before the Cubs host the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Fans arrive at Wrigley Field in Chicago before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Fans arrive at Wrigley Field in Chicago before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Padres players warm up before facing the Cubs in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Padres players warm up before facing the Cubs in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Pete Crow-Armstrong fan Ryan Denk, of Caledonia, plays catch outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Pete Crow-Armstrong fan Ryan Denk, of Caledonia, plays catch outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago before Game 2 of the NL wild-card series between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
    Paul "Santa" Margolis walks in the stands before the Cubs play the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
    Paul "Santa" Margolis walks in the stands before the Cubs play the Padres in Game 2 of the wild-card series at Wrigley Field, Oct. 1, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)