In a nail-biting finish at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs clinched their first playoff series win since 2017 by eliminating the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday. The Padres, who had high hopes after a strong regular season, faltered under the pressure of a decisive matchup, their bats going cold at the worst possible moment. Indeed, the top of the lineup struggled mightily, combining for just 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position—a stark reminder of how fragile momentum can be in October.
Xander Bogaerts, the veteran shortstop for San Diego, found himself at the center of controversy early on. A questionable umpire call on a close play at first base in the third inning seemed to disrupt his rhythm, leading to a frustrating 1-for-4 night with two strikeouts. Bogaerts later expressed visible frustration in the dugout, shaking his head as the Cubs capitalized on the momentum shift. However, it wasn't all on him; the entire infield looked a step slow against Chicago's aggressive base running.
Fernando Tatis Jr., the electric outfielder who's supposed to carry the Padres offense, had what can only be described as bad timing. Fresh off a highlight-reel catch in Game 2, Tatis went hitless in three at-bats, stranding key runners and missing a chance to spark a rally in the late innings. His speed and flair were muted, perhaps weighed down by the series' intensity—a disappointing end to a season where he batted .282 with 24 homers. On the pitching side, Yu Darvish delivered a solid but ultimately insufficient start, allowing two runs over five innings with seven strikeouts, his slider sharp but the defense behind him shaky.
For the Cubs, Jake Arrieta's shadow loomed large in spirit if not on the mound; the former ace, now mentoring from the sidelines after retiring last year, watched as Chicago's staff echoed his gritty style. Padres manager Bob Melvin, in his third year at the helm, faced tough questions postgame about lineup decisions, particularly sticking with Bogaerts at short despite recent slumps. Melvin defended his choices, saying the team fought hard, but the results spoke otherwise.
Moreover, the series exposed deeper issues for San Diego, from bullpen inconsistencies to an inability to score in day games at Wrigley—three straight shutout innings in broad daylight sealed their fate. As the Cubs advance to the NLDS, buzzing with newfound confidence, one can't help but wonder if this early exit signals bigger troubles ahead for the Padres' star-studded roster.