CHICAGO — These are not uncharted waters for the Padres. While the Cubs are trying to author a new chapter in the franchise’s postseason history, this San Diego squad has been tested in recent Octobers for the precise situation at hand.
The Padres took down the Cardinals in a winner-take-all Game 3 in a Wild Card Series in 2020. They did the same to the Mets in ’22 — and pulled that one off on the road. Now, San Diego is set to take on the North Siders and the raucous Wrigley Field environment in Game 3 of this National League Wild Card Series on Thursday.
“Same mindset, continue to go,” said Padres star Manny Machado, who launched a momentum-swinging homer in San Diego’s 3-0 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon. “Our backs are still up against the wall, so go out there and try and play our best baseball for the next 27 outs. I think, ultimately, that’s what it comes down to: Who makes the least mistakes and who can take advantage of the situation.”
The Cubs were flying high after a 3-1 win in Tuesday afternoon’s series opener, giving their fans the ballclub’s first playoff victory since 2017. Only veteran Ian Happ is left from that season’s team — then a rookie learning under the core players from the ’16 World Series run. This Chicago group is trying to usher in a new era for a city craving another championship.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “I don’t think any of us expected to have the Padres just lay down. I mean, it would’ve been really nice to just get this series over with [Wednesday], but we’re also prepared to come back [for Game 3] and do it again.”
All series are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games also are available live internationally, although not in Canada. Sportsnet is MLB’s exclusive English language broadcaster in Canada for every postseason game, while TVA Sports will be covering the entire AL postseason and the World Series in French and Broadcaster RDS will cover the entire NL postseason in French.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Padres: Yu Darvish (5-5, 5.38 ERA)
The former Cubs right-hander is back at Wrigley Field. Darvish, of course, spent three seasons with Chicago before he was dealt to San Diego during the 2020-21 offseason. He’s since made more playoff starts than any pitcher in Padres history — including an excellent start in a winner-take-all Game 5 last season in the NL Division Series against the Dodgers. It’s been a mostly rough season for Darvish, who missed the first three months due to right elbow inflammation. But he’s been more than solid for the Padres in the playoffs before.
Cubs: RHP Jameson Taillon (11-7, 3.68 ERA)
The veteran Taillon takes the ball in the winner-take-all game after finishing the season on a strong note for the North Siders. The big righty turned in a 1.54 ERA in four September games, following a comeback from a minor groin issue. Taillon has a 1.85 ERA in his past seven games, dating back to late June. He missed all of July with a right calf setback. Taillon boasts some playoff experience with the Yankees (two games in 2022) and has been a leader in the clubhouse and rotation for the Cubs. He relies on pounding the strike zone (5.2% walk rate) and trusting Chicago’s stellar defense.
The Padres have used the same lineup for Games 1 and 2, and now that they’re facing a traditional right-handed starting pitcher, it’s a near certainty they’ll use the same formula — with a trio of lefties at 6-7-8 — for Game 3. Although backup infielder Jose Iglesias is 7-for-13 with two doubles and a homer against Taillon in his career. Manager Mike Shildt wouldn’t … would he?
Manager Craig Counsell used the same lineup in each of the first two games, and it was similar to how it looked at the end of the regular season. Even with only three total runs scored in the series, it seems likely that he sticks with the same combination for Game 3.
Padres: The Padres have used setup men Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon heavily in the first two games. They combined to cover four innings on Wednesday, but both say they’ll be available for Game 3. Still, it’s entirely possible they’d be limited to one inning apiece. Closer Robert Suarez, who did not pitch in Game 1, might be available for two innings. After that, it’s not entirely clear who the Padres would trust. Jeremiah Estrada has struggled lately. Wandy Peralta has been solid against lefties. Or maybe starter Michael King — in a winner-take-all situation — would pitch in relief. He has spent the first two games in the bullpen.
Cubs: It’s all hands on deck for this win-or-go-home Game 3. Right-hander Andrew Kittredge (eighth inning in Game 1 and first inning in Game 2) is the only pitcher who has worked in both games. Righty Colin Rea, who was a starter for most of this season, was asked to get five outs in Game 2, so he is likely down for the finale. Other than that, expect Counsell’s high-leverage favorites (Brad Keller, Daniel Palencia, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz) to be ready. Knowing Kittredge, he will tell Counsell he is available, too.
Padres: Ramón Laureano remains sidelined with a right index finger fracture, which is costly for a Padres team that already skewed heavy on left-handed hitters. It’s possible he’d return in a later round of the playoffs. Elias Díaz, meanwhile, could be back for the NLDS, if the Padres were to advance. But he’s not on their Wild Card Series roster, leaving Luis Campusano and Martín Maldonado as their backups behind Fermin.
Cubs: Tucker has served as the DH for the first two games, following a comeback from a left calf strain that cost him three-plus weeks in September. It seems probable that he will remain in that role, rather than moving back to right field for the first time since coming off the injured list. Righty Cade Horton (15-day IL, right rib fracture) is out for this series.
Cubs: Suzuki had his five-game homer streak (dating back to the regular season) snapped in Game 2, but he did deliver a double. Hoerner has followed his torrid September by going 3-for-7 in the series, and he had a pair of well-struck tough-luck outs in Game 2 as well. Happ and Crow-Armstrong went a combined 0-for-14 with 10 strikeouts in the first two games.