Seiya Suzuki, Cubs Excite Fans By Beating Padres in Game 1 of 2025 MLB Playoffs

The Chicago Cubs grabbed a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres at home in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday.

Back-to-back home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly in the bottom of the fifth powered the Cubs to an exciting victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. 

The winner will move on to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series beginning Saturday.

The back-to-back homers and home win energized Cubs fans as the team prepares for Game 2.

Starting left-hander Matthew Boyd pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out two and posting a 2.08 ERA. Closer Brian Keller fired up the crowd as he struck out Xander Bogaerts to end the game.

The Padres got on the board first after Bogaerts hit an RBI double to center to bring home Jackson Merrill in the top of the second — aided by an error from Pete Crow-Armstrong that allowed Bogaerts to advance to third — the Cubs shut the Padres down for the rest of the game.

Suzuki got Chicago on the board in the bottom of the fifth with a 424-foot home run to center off Nick Pivetta. Moments later, Kelly followed with a solo shot of his own to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

A wild pitch and a sacrifice fly added an insurance run for the Cubs in the bottom of the eighth.

The two teams will meet again for Game 2 on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.