The Chicago Cubs narrowly the first round of the MLB postseason with a 2-1 series win in the NL Wild Card round against the San Diego Padres.
While it was Chicago’s offense that led the team to 92 wins in the regular season, it was the pitching and defense that helped the Cubs advanced into the NLDS. The MVP of the series was crystal clear for Chicago’s president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.
“I thought the defense was the MVP of the series,” Hoyer said via a video on X from Marquee Sports Network. “Dansby was incredible, Pete made a great play in the first inning, Matt Shaw made a tough play in the ninth inning and Nico’s catch in the eighth. Really, that was a massive play so, I thought the defense was the MVP and the bullpen was amazing throughout. We knew that runs would be at a premium the whole series and we held them down and that was the key.
Chicago certainly did hold San Diego down, as it was able to manage just five runs and 18 hits in the three-game series. The Cubs bullpen that Hoyer mentioned allowed just three runs across 17 2/3 innings, good for a 1.53 ERA in the series. It was undoubtedly a gutsy performance for Chicago’s defense and pitching.
The Cubs will now hit the road and travel north to take on the division rival Milwaukee Brewers. Much like Chicago, Milwaukee is a team that prides itself on stellar defense and an excellent bullpen. The best-of-five series between the teams could very well be a low scoring series that sees defense and bullpens rise to the occasion to propel one side to the NLCS.