We have seen pitching substitutions that have defined how a game is going to go. Nobody will forget the Blake Snell substitution in the 2020 World Series that led the Rays to lose to the Dodgers. The one thing that we have understood is if your starting pitcher is doing well, don’t replace him, or else, it might not end well. Mike Shildt almost made the same mistake with Dylan Cease, but this time it paid off.
During the Padres’ Wild Card game, Dylan Cease was throwing flames, but after just 3.2 innings, he was replaced, and it puzzled many fans. Even Fox Sports posted, “Dylan Cease was pulled from the game after only throwing 69 pitches. Do you agree with the call?”
For much of this season, teams have faltered once their starters exited, losing control of crucial games. The Padres, however, leaned on a deep bullpen that delivered, mixing shutdown pitching with timely offensive sparks.
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Dylan Cease pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings, setting the stage for Manny Machado’s towering two-run homer in the fifth. Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller then closed with dominance, striking out multiple hitters, proving the Padres’ depth is battle-tested and alive.
Meanwhile, the Cubs struggled to respond, leaving chances untouched against a relentless Padres bullpen.
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Craig Counsell’s decisions, including leaving Machado to face Imanaga, allowed the Padres’ lead to swell comfortably. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, despite stellar regular seasons, couldn’t ignite late-game rallies when every pitch screamed urgency. In Wrigley’s electric atmosphere, Padres fans roared while Cubs supporters felt the sting, witnessing an execution of strategy, timing, and composure.
The San Diego Padres proved that trust in their bullpen beats blind loyalty to a starter every time. Machado, Cease, Morejon, and Miller reminded baseball that October rewards execution, not hesitation or second-guessing.
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Padres fans were surprised to see Dylan Cease’s substitution
In October, every managerial decision feels like a headline, and the margins between genius and folly shrink. The San Diego Padres have a knack for turning tense moments into spectacle, and Dylan Cease’s performance became the latest reason. While fans collectively blinked in disbelief, the team’s depth quietly reminded everyone that postseason baseball isn’t about sentiment, it’s about execution, timing, and a dash of audacity.
“It’s dumb,” the commenter argued, to remove Cease while he was sharp and controlling the game. They highlighted Carson Kelly’s harmless pop-out as proof that the timing of the substitution lacked sense. The concern centered on losing Morejon for a later, potentially higher-leverage matchup, risking bullpen stability. Fans watching felt the tension, questioning the strategy while knowing the Padres’ depth might still save the day.
The commenter said, “This is over-managing,” questioning why Cease was pulled despite dominating the Cubs’ lineup. They noted three hits, one walk, five strikeouts, and zero runs allowed through his outing. The frustration stemmed from removing a pitcher before finishing the fourth inning, defying traditional logic. Fans watching felt disbelief, debating whether strategy or stubbornness dictated a move that seemed unnecessary.
But one fan wrote, “Nobody blows up quicker than Cease,” suggesting his exit was justifiable preemptively. They implied that despite Cease’s strong performance, his history of late-inning struggles warranted caution from the manager. The comment reflects a mixture of respect for his talent and fear of potential disaster. Readers felt the tension, realizing postseason decisions often balance brilliance with the looming threat of collapse.
Another fan joked, “No, it’s pretty clear,” implying Mike Shildt’s motives might have been suspiciously personal. They suggested that one more strikeout from Dylan Cease could have cost him some hidden wager. The comment blended humor with skepticism, turning a tense baseball decision into a playful conspiracy theory. Some laughed nervously, recognizing how fans often dramatize managerial choices in high-stakes postseason moments.
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Then came another remark that again highlighted Cease’s reputation for sudden struggles. “When Cease loses it…he does so quickly.” They argued that playing it safe by turning to the bullpen seemed a more prudent choice. The comment reflected a cautious mindset, valuing team security over relying on Cease’s unpredictable stamina.
Shildt’s decision proves postseason baseball thrives on calculated risks, timing, and bullpen depth over sentiment. Dylan Cease’s brief outing reminded fans that brilliance can be fragile, but preparation often saves games. Meanwhile, Padres supporters cheered a strategy executed perfectly, while Cubs fans debated whether caution or chaos ruled decisions.