CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s an exciting day on the city’s North Side.

For the first time since 2020, the Chicago Cubs are in the playoffs.

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The best-of-three National League Wild Card Series clash against the San Diego Padres began at 2:08 p.m. Tuesday on ABC7, with a flyover before the start of Game 1.

The Cubs beat the Padres 3-1.

“Honestly I feel confident in this team. I think they could go to the World Series,” Cubs fan Ryan Wilhausen said.

That would be music to the ears of Cubs owner Tom Ricketts.

“First of all, it’s just great to have playoff baseball back at Wrigley. We have a full house today, just hoping we can win a few games and keep going,” Ricketts said.

Cubs fans exploded with excitement, as the team hit a couple of homeruns in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead.

Many fans without tickets watched the game from Wrigleyville bars like Sluggers.

It’s the team’s first postseason win since 2017.

The last time the Cubs were in the playoffs back in 2020, the pandemic prevented fans from attending games at Wrigley. So, people are just excited to get in on all the fun this time around.

RELATED: ABC7 to broadcast some Chicago Cubs home Wild Card Series games against San Diego Padres

The sun is shining on the Friendly Confines, and it’s a great day for a Cubs win.

“I like when the streets get flooded, and it’s just packed with people. And there’s a sense of camaraderie and teamwork,” Cubs fan Ana Volkober said.

“Today’s going to be beautiful,” Sports World Chicago partner Sean McNeill said. “We’re gonna have a lot of fans out. There’s a lot of enthusiasm.”

Sports World Chicago gift shop spent the morning stocking shelves, stoked about the boost of energy injected into Wrigleyville late in the season thanks to the home National League Wild Card series.

“We’re fully stocked,” McNeill said. “We got all the gear. We’ve got the postseason stuff. We’re here. We’re here and we’re ready.”

“It’s been pretty special to be here, yeah,” Cubs fan Terri Hayden said. “I cried when I went in. I cried today, walking around. I’m crying now so.”

Hayden grew up in Chicago and flew in from Montana. She said the Cubs mean a lot to her and her family.

“I started whining to my husband this year. ‘We have got to get back,’ and we came back for the last two. We’re leaving today. We’re flying home; so I’m doing my pilgrimage around Wrigley. Just, it means a lot.”

This was Eugene Brunt’s first time back to Wrigley in 18 years. His father hails from Orland Park, and he grew up a Cubs fan. Although, he, himself, lives in Texas.

“It means a lot for me to be here,” Brunt said. “It means a lot to bring my family here. I’ve got my son and my wife as well here with me.”

Even Padres fans were seen out and about, making the far trip from California for the series.

“How many opportunities am I going to get to see my Padres play at Wrigley Field? And I brought my dad out; he’s never been. So, I’m pretty excited about it,” Padres fan James Hilgesen said.

Though the Cubs hadn’t flown the W for a playoff game since 2017, fans say this ball club has the talent for a deep playoff run.

“Hoping there’s a clinch and we don’t end up with a game three. That way when I fly home on Thursday I don’t have to worry about it,” Cubs fan Eugene Brunt said.

Watch the first two Wild Card games on ABC7 Chicago Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch Wednesday is at 2:08 p.m. ABC7 Chicago news at 4 p.m. will be a streaming newscast, and “Jeopardy!” will air overnight at 3:07 a.m.

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