Padres' Wild Card playoff matchup feels even better after mysterious Cubs injury

The Chicago Cubs may find themselves in a much harder situation than they already thought. This team has already locked up a 2025 postseason berth, but there is a strong chance they will be playing without their All-Star in Kyle Tucker - which is good news for the San Diego Padres.

As it stands, the Cubs would host the Padres in the NL Wild Card as the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively. These teams have both been riddled with injuries all season, but still found a way to be among the best in the National League. With the Padres clinching a playoff ticket in extra innings on Monday night in a win against the Milwaukee Brewers, they nabbed their fourth bid in six years. Now, perhaps suddenly, their first round might be easier than expected if Tucker remains on the shelf.

Kyle Tucker's health remains in question for Cubs as potential playoff series with Padres looms

Tucker has been sidelined since September 9 with a left calf strain. Prior to that, he had 25 stolen bases, 25 doubles, and 22 home runs in his inaugural campaign with Chicago. The Cubs are starting to really feel his absence, as they were swept in a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds this past week.

Chicago faces the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals before the postseason begins, and they are approaching these last few games in multiple ways. Tucker should return to the team on Tuesday, and will be assessed from there, but the club is still preparing for a postseason without him.

“We’ve got to figure out when and if he’s going to be available,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ve got six games left.”

As for the Padres, they have two more games against the Brewers, and will cap the 2025 regular season at home in a three-game slate vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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