The Chicago Cubs pulled off a gritty upset in the National League Wild Card Series, knocking out the San Diego Padres with a 4-3 victory in Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. It was a do-or-die affair, and the Cubs' defense shone through, turning potential disasters into triumphs while the Padres' offense sputtered under the afternoon sun. San Diego, seeded higher and favored on paper, couldn't muster the runs they needed, going just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position across the decisive game.
Fernando Tatis Jr. faced the worst possible timing. The star outfielder, back from a hamstring tweak that sidelined him earlier in the week, looked tentative at the plate—0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His swing, usually electric, seemed hampered, and whispers in the clubhouse suggest the injury might linger into the offseason. Indeed, Tatis's struggles mirrored the Padres' broader woes; the top of their lineup combined for a dismal 0-for-11 in the finale. Meanwhile, Xander Bogaerts endured a controversial moment in the eighth when umpires botched a safe call at second, robbing San Diego of a potential rally. Bogaerts, fuming post-game, called it "a game-changer we couldn't overcome," his frustration evident in a season where his batting average dipped to .250.
Over on the mound, Yu Darvish delivered a solid but ultimately fruitless start for the Padres, tossing five innings with seven strikeouts but surrendering two runs on five hits. His ERA for the series climbed to 3.60, a reminder of his ace status even in defeat. As for Jake Arrieta, the former Cubs hurler—who's been out of the majors since 2021—made headlines off the field with a motivational tweet praising Chicago's young arms, perhaps fueling the home team's fire. And the Padres' manager? Bob Melvin stuck to his guns, defending his lineup choices despite the criticism swirling around day-game preparations at Wrigley. However, the loss piles on questions about his in-game adjustments, especially after San Diego's 1-2 series skid.
The Cubs now march to the NLDS, their first series win since 2017, while the Padres head home earlier than expected. In a sport of inches and calls, what might a different bounce have meant for San Diego's stars?