MLB announces NLDS first pitch times for Brewers series
The Milwaukee Brewers will open the NLDS against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, Oct. 3, with first pitch at 7:30 p.m. CT at American Family Field. Game 2 follows Sunday at 3 p.m. CT. MLB locked in those times after San Diego swept the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card round.
Key Takeaways
- NLDS Game 1 is Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT in Milwaukee.
- Game 2 is Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. CT at American Family Field.
- The Padres earned the series by sweeping the Cubs in the wild-card round.
- The best-of-five set will air on Fox or FS1.
- If needed, Game 5 would return to Milwaukee on Friday, Oct. 9.
Major League Baseball confirmed the opening times once the Padres finished off Chicago. For Brewers fans planning the weekend, the night tip-off for Game 1 and the afternoon slot for Game 2 are now locked. Coverage of the series also sits alongside other Celebrity Breaking News updates on BlasterPost.
What time does Game 1 of the NLDS start?
Game 1 of the Brewers-Padres NLDS starts at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 3. The No. 1-seeded Brewers host at American Family Field. That evening time matches the schedule MLB floated if Milwaukee drew San Diego rather than Chicago.
According to WISN, a Cubs matchup would have put both early games at 3 p.m. CT. With the Padres advancing, Saturday shifts to prime time and Sunday stays at 3 p.m. CT.
Why does this NLDS matchup matter for Milwaukee?
It is the first postseason meeting between the Brewers and Padres. Milwaukee won the NL Central for a fourth straight season and clinched the top overall seed for a second straight year. San Diego arrives as the No. 4 seed after a 2-0 wild-card sweep of the Cubs.
The Padres also held the edge in the regular season, winning four of six games against Milwaukee. First-year San Diego manager Craig Stammen gets an extra day of rest for his staff after the sweep before Game 1.
What is the full Brewers-Padres NLDS schedule?
Game 1 is Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT in Milwaukee. Game 2 is Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. CT, also at American Family Field. After an off day Monday, Game 3 is Tuesday, Oct. 6, in San Diego.
If necessary, Game 4 is Wednesday, Oct. 7, on the road. A decisive Game 5 would be Friday, Oct. 9, back in Milwaukee. Broadcast windows for Games 3 through 5 were still listed as TBD when early times were posted, with Fox or FS1 carrying the series.
Division Series play runs Oct. 3-10 in the broader 2026 MLB postseason calendar. For Milwaukee, the immediate focus is the Saturday night first pitch that opens a best-of-five NLDS against a Padres club that swept its way into the bracket.