Where to Watch Cubs vs. Padres Wild Card Game 2 on DIRECTV: Channel, Result and What's Next
The Cubs-Padres NL Wild Card Series Game 2 was played Wednesday, September 30, at Petco Park in San Diego, with first pitch scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT local, 9 p.m. CT). It aired on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) and Peacock, not on NBC, so there was no DIRECTV channel for this game. The Padres won 4-1 to sweep the best-of-three series 2-0, which means there is no Game 3.
Here's how Game 2 aired, what DIRECTV customers could do, and where to watch the Padres next. NLDS Game 1 at Milwaukee is Saturday, October 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, channel 219 on DIRECTV.
Quick answer
- Game 2: Wednesday, September 30, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT at Petco Park. Final: Padres 4, Cubs 1.
- Channel: NBCSN and Peacock, with Spanish on Universo.
- On DIRECTV? No DIRECTV channel. NBCSN isn't in DIRECTV's lineup, so DIRECTV customers needed Peacock.
- Game 3: not needed. San Diego won the series 2-0.
- Next for San Diego: Padres at Brewers, NLDS Game 1, Saturday, October 3, 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1 (DIRECTV channel 219).
Cubs vs. Padres Game 2: date, time and channel
| Detail | Game 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
| Scheduled first pitch | 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. PT (local) |
| Ballpark | Petco Park, San Diego |
| TV | NBCSN |
| Streaming | Peacock (Premium or Premium Plus) |
| Spanish TV | Universo |
| Radio | ESPN Radio (national); Univision Radio (Spanish) |
| Result | Padres 4, Cubs 1. San Diego wins the series 2-0. |
Game 2 recap: Padres finish the sweep
San Diego took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Xander Bogaerts and a sacrifice fly by Ethan Salas, who at 20 became the youngest player to catch a postseason game. Chicago scored its only run of the series in the fourth on a Nico Hoerner single, but pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer off Daniel Palencia. The Padres' bullpen threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Mason Miller closed it out.
Kevin Gausman started Game 2 for the Cubs and Nick Pivetta started for the Padres. San Diego won Game 1, 8-0, on Tuesday, so a Cubs offense that led the majors in runs this season scored once in two games.
Was Cubs vs. Padres on DIRECTV?
Not on a DIRECTV channel. MLB put two Wild Card series on NBC and the other two, including Cubs-Padres, on NBCSN and Peacock. NBCSN is carried by YouTube TV, Fubo and Xfinity, but it isn't part of DIRECTV's national lineup, and DIRECTV hasn't announced a launch date.
That left Peacock as the way for DIRECTV customers to watch. Eligible DIRECTV customers can add Peacock Premium through their DIRECTV account, and DIRECTV's Movies Extra Pack add-on now includes Peacock Premium. On its own, Peacock Premium is $12.99 a month. Our Peacock price guide explains the plans.
Missed the game? The MLB FAST channel on MyFree DIRECTV streams highlights and recaps, and MLB Network (DIRECTV channel 213, CHOICE and higher) covers the postseason on MLB Tonight, MLB Central, MLB Now and Intentional Talk.
Where to watch the Padres next: NLDS vs. Brewers
The Padres face the NL's top seed, the Milwaukee Brewers, in a best-of-five Division Series. After Wild Card week, Peacock is done with baseball. Every NLDS game is on FOX or FS1, both of which DIRECTV carries.
| Game | Date | Matchup | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 3 | Padres at Brewers | 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT / 5:30 p.m. PT | FS1 |
| Game 2 | Sun., Oct. 4 | Padres at Brewers | 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. PT | FS1 |
| Game 3 | Tue., Oct. 6 | Brewers at Padres | TBA | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 4* | Wed., Oct. 7 | Brewers at Padres | TBA | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 5* | Fri., Oct. 9 | Padres at Brewers | TBA | FOX or FS1 |
*If necessary. Every NLDS game also airs in Spanish on FOX Deportes and streams on FOX One. Times are subject to change. The NLCS starts Sunday, October 11, on FOX or FS1.
DIRECTV channels for Padres vs. Brewers
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Included with |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 219 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| FOX (local station) | Varies by market | All packages where locals are available |
| FOX Deportes (Spanish) | 465 | Spanish-language packages; check your lineup |
| MLB Network (studio coverage) | 213 | CHOICE and higher |
FS1 is on channel 219 with both DIRECTV satellite and streaming. As of October 1, no 4K coverage had been announced for these games. DIRECTV's 4K channels carry select live events, so check your guide close to first pitch.
Want to make sure FS1 is in your package before Saturday? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
How to watch without cable
- DIRECTV streaming: no dish needed. Signature packages at ENTERTAINMENT and higher include FS1, plus local channels where available. The MySports Genre Pack includes FS1 and ESPN. DIRECTV lists it at $44.99 a month for six months for qualifying new customers through October 3, then $64.99 a month.
- FOX One: every NLDS game streams on FOX One. DIRECTV says FOX One is included with qualifying plans, so choose TV provider sign-in and use your DIRECTV login. On its own, FOX One is $19.99 a month with a 3-day free trial. Our FOX One with DIRECTV guide walks through the steps.
- MLB.TV: MLB says postseason games on FOX and FS1 are available to MLB.TV subscribers who also sign in through a participating pay TV provider that includes those networks.
- Radio: ESPN Radio has live national audio of every 2026 postseason game.
Which DIRECTV plan is best for the rest of the postseason?
- Any core package: your local FOX station where available, for FOX's NLDS and NLCS games and the World Series, which starts Friday, October 23.
- ENTERTAINMENT and higher: adds FS1 for the Padres' first two NLDS games, plus TBS and truTV for the American League. See our 2026 NLDS guide for both NL series.
- CHOICE and higher: adds MLB Network for studio coverage.
- Tonight: the last Wild Card game is Phillies at Braves, Game 3, Thursday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. DIRECTV carries your local NBC station where available. The winner opens the NLDS at the Dodgers on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX. Our Wild Card round guide has the rest.
Compare DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884 before first pitch on Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What channel was Cubs vs. Padres Wild Card Game 2 on?
NBCSN and Peacock, at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 30. Universo had the Spanish-language broadcast.
Was Cubs vs. Padres Game 2 on DIRECTV?
No DIRECTV channel carried it. NBCSN isn't in DIRECTV's lineup, so DIRECTV customers had to stream the game on Peacock, which can be added through a DIRECTV account.
Who won Cubs vs. Padres Game 2?
The Padres won 4-1, after an 8-0 win in Game 1, to sweep the series 2-0.
Is there a Cubs vs. Padres Game 3?
No. A Game 3 would have been Thursday, October 1, in San Diego, but the Padres ended the series in two games.
When do the Padres play next, and on what channel?
NLDS Game 1 at Milwaukee is Saturday, October 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, which is DIRECTV channel 219. Game 2 is Sunday, October 4, at 4 p.m. ET, also on FS1.
Do I need Peacock for the rest of the MLB playoffs?
No. Peacock only had the Wild Card round. The NLDS, NLCS and World Series are on FOX and FS1, and the ALDS and ALCS are on TBS and truTV. DIRECTV carries all of those channels, with FOX available where local channels are offered.
Baseball questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 1, 2026. Start times and networks for NLDS Games 3 through 5 had not been announced. Channel lineups, carriage, offers and package prices may change. MLB, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.