In a nail-biting conclusion to the NL Wild Card Series, the Chicago Cubs dispatched the San Diego Padres 4-2 in Game 3 on Wednesday, advancing to the Division Series while abruptly ending San Diego's playoff hopes. The matchup at Wrigley Field turned into a defensive showcase for the Cubs, who capitalized on key miscues from the visitors. Chicago's back-to-back homers in Game 1 set the tone early, but it was the series-clinching effort that truly exposed the Padres' vulnerabilities under the bright lights.
Fernando Tatis Jr., the electric outfielder who's carried San Diego with his flair all season, faced unfortunate timing in this do-or-die game. Batting leadoff, he went hitless in four at-bats, stranding runners and watching helplessly as the Cubs' pitching stifled the top of the order—collectively 0-for-11. His highlights from the regular year, including 32 home runs and a .282 average, felt distant amid the playoff pressure. Indeed, Tatis' inability to ignite the lineup echoed broader frustrations for a team that scored just three runs across the three games.
Xander Bogaerts, the steady shortstop acquired to bolster the infield, endured a rough patch too. A controversial umpire call in the eighth inning—ruling a foul tip that many deemed a catch—cost the Padres a potential rally, leaving Bogaerts fuming at the plate. His postseason stats dipped to .143, a far cry from his .264 regular-season mark with 12 homers. However, Bogaerts later deflected blame, noting the team's collective slump in day games at Wrigley.
On the mound, Yu Darvish delivered a mixed bag for San Diego in the series. The veteran right-hander posted a 3.45 ERA over his two starts, striking out 12 in 10 innings, but surrendered crucial hits that the Cubs pounced on. Darvish's command faltered in Game 3, walking three and allowing two earned runs before exiting early. As for Jake Arrieta, the former Cubs ace who's been out of the spotlight since retiring in 2021, whispers of a coaching role surfaced this week, though nothing concrete emerged amid the playoff chaos.
The Padres' manager, Mike Shildt, faced scrutiny post-elimination, with reports suggesting internal debates over bullpen usage that backfired spectacularly. Shildt's steady hand guided San Diego to 92 wins in the regular season, yet the Wild Card exit raises questions about postseason adjustments. Moreover, injuries lingered—Bogaerts nursing a shoulder tweak, Tatis battling minor hamstring tightness—adding layers to the defeat.
Still, as the Cubs celebrate their first series win since 2017, one wonders if this Padres core can rebound from yet another early October heartbreak.