SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres celebrated a decisive 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night, completing a sweep in the best-of-three National League wild-card series and advancing to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series beginning Oct. 3 in Milwaukee.

The Padres’ dominant performance stifled the Cubs’ offense, allowing only one extra-base hit across 18 innings. The Cubs entered the postseason as the league’s top-scoring team but were held to no more than a single run over the two-game span, a feat achieved previously only by the 1983 Baltimore Orioles and the 1940 Cincinnati Reds.

Following their series win, the Padres expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming series against the Brewers, a franchise that has recorded the most wins in MLB over the past two seasons while remaining a consistent postseason contender. Milwaukee won 97 games in 2025 and set a franchise record with 103 victories this year.

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting the Brewers’ steady success under two-time manager of the year Pat Murphy and the presence of standout pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. “They’re the best team in baseball,” Preller said. “They’ve got a loaded roster, and it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

The Brewers have secured the National League Central division title four consecutive years and five times in the last six seasons but have yet to reach the World Series since 1982. Both the Padres and Brewers remain in pursuit of their first championship in franchise history.

Padres manager Craig Stammen underscored the Brewers’ strengths beyond home runs, highlighting their speed, athleticism, and strong pitching staff. “They just win, and they do it a little bit differently than everybody else,” Stammen remarked. “We’re going to have to play our best, just like we did against the Cubs, to knock them out.”

Although the Padres carry a significantly higher payroll—approximately $80 million more—the Brewers’ blue-collar reputation as grinders remains intact. San Diego boasts five players earning at least $20 million annually, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts, all under lucrative contracts exceeding $280 million. Conversely, Milwaukee has two players at the $20 million threshold, though one, Brandon Woodruff, is currently injured.

Padres designated hitter Gavin Sheets, who broke the game open with a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Game 2, acknowledged the Brewers’ depth and quality, particularly highlighting the challenge posed by Misiorowski. “They’re a great team with great arms,” Sheets said. “Top to bottom, they’re solid.”

Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla identified controlling the Brewers’ leadoff hitters and running game as critical to success. Milwaukee’s speed and aggressive playstyle place constant pressure on opposing pitchers. In the wild-card series, key Brewers hitters Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman were largely neutralized, reaching base only once combined.

The Padres enter the NLDS with significant momentum, winning 41 of 59 games since late July, their best stretch of play in decades. Despite the celebrations, the team reflected on the absence of Peter Seidler, the Padres’ owner who passed away in 2023. Preller said, “He’d be really proud of what this team continues to do. He always believed the baseball gods would smile on us one day. Hopefully, we’re getting closer to that moment.”