Cubs Set for Home Opener Against Padres at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Cubs are poised to host the San Diego Padres for their home opener at Wrigley Field on April 4, 2025. The first pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. CDT, marking the start of a three-game series against the Padres.

This matchup is highly anticipated, as the Cubs are looking to build on a solid start to the season while the Padres bring a remarkable seven-game win streak, the best start in franchise history. Currently, the Padres stand at 7-0, just a half-game behind the 8-0 Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

The Cubs (5-4) are coming off a successful series against the Oakland Athletics, where they outscored their opponents 35-9 in a sweep. The team previously struggled in their opening series in Japan but managed to split a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cubs manager David Ross expressed enthusiasm about returning to familiar ground. “Opening Day is always a special moment for the fans and the players. There’s a different atmosphere at Wrigley,” he said.

The starting pitchers for Friday’s game are Shota Imanaga for the Cubs and Randy Vasquez for the Padres. While Imanaga has quickly become a fan favorite, Vasquez has proven to be a reliable option for San Diego this year.

Fans converged on the ballpark early to soak in the atmosphere. “The energy is unbeatable,” said Cubs fan Tristin Minx. “There’s no fan base like there is for the Cubs.”

Another lifelong fan, Todd Hancock, drove from Indianapolis for his first home opener. “The moment you walk into the stadium and see Wrigley open up in front of you is something truly special,” he added.

The excitement isn’t limited to fans by the ballpark. According to Cubs chief commercial officer Colin Falkner, “I couldn’t sleep last night. It’s just fantastic to be back home.”

The matchup will be broadcast live on the MARQ channel in Chicago and SDPA channel in San Diego, with streaming available on Fubo and MLB.TV.

As the Cubs and Padres face off, fans will not only be watching for the outcome of the game but also the performances of key players. The Cubs will be without Reggie Hightower and Tyler Tears, both sidelined with hamstring injuries. The official starting lineup for the Cubs includes Ian Happ in left field, Kyle Tucker in right, and Seiya Suzuki as the designated hitter.

On the other side, the Padres lineup features standout players like Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field and Manny Machado at third base. The usual rivalry between these two teams promises an exciting opening game for the Cubs at Wrigley Field.