A dramatic display of power saw the Chicago Cubs clinch a decisive 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Tuesday afternoon. Consecutive home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly were the pivotal moments, significantly jeopardizing the Padres' postseason aspirations.
For the initial four innings, the 39,114 spectators at Wrigley remained relatively quiet as the Cubs' bats struggled to find rhythm against Padres' starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. However, the fifth inning witnessed a dramatic shift when Suzuki and Kelly's monumental swings utterly transformed the dynamic of Game 1 in this National League Wild Card Series.
This rare feat of back-to-back playoff homers by the Cubs harks back to their memorable 2016 championship season, when Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler achieved it against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.
With the regular season's marathon giving way to a sudden playoff sprint, the Padres now face immense pressure to rebound quickly, as their season could prematurely conclude as early as October 1st.
Despite a slow start offensively, securing runs before San Diego's highly regarded bullpen could take over and shut down the game was a critical objective for the Cubs.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized his team's strategic approach pre-game, stating, "This isn't about running up a starter's pitch count; that's beside the point. Our focus is on generating baserunners, applying pressure, and forcing their pitchers into tough situations. Their bullpen is formidable, boasting some truly exceptional arms."
The Cubs weren't just struggling to score; they were barely generating any offense against Pivetta until the pivotal fifth inning. That's when Suzuki and Kelly ignited the crowd with their consecutive blasts to open the frame, sending Wrigley Field into an uproar as Kelly's towering shot settled deep in the left-center bleachers.
Counsell's prediction of a low-scoring series held true for Game 1. Crucially, the Cubs managed just enough offense against Pivetta to avoid facing a deficit once San Diego's key relievers, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller, entered the game.
San Diego initially seized a 1-0 advantage in the second inning through back-to-back doubles from Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts. However, with Bogaerts on third following an error, the absence of right-handed slugger Ramón Laureano proved costly. Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd skillfully navigated the threat, striking out Ryan O’Hearn, Gavin Sheets, and Jake Cronenworth consecutively to prevent further scoring.
In the fourth inning, Padres cleanup hitter Jackson Merrill opted for a sacrifice bunt, a characteristic move for a team known for leading the league in bunts, and arguably a logical decision given the windy playoff conditions. Yet, a brilliant defensive play by Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson combined with a fly out from Sheets once again thwarted San Diego's attempt to extend their lead.
The Padres now face a significant uphill battle; under the current playoff format introduced in 2022, no team losing the first game of a best-of-three Wild Card series has managed to advance. While Ramón Laureano's absence undoubtedly stings, San Diego's overall lack of timely hitting and a consistent power threat throughout the season appear to be major contributors to their current predicament.
Chicago's initial preference for Game 1 starter would have been Cade Horton, a rookie pitcher who boasted an impressive 1.03 ERA post-All-Star break, but a fractured right rib regrettably sidelined him from playoff contention.
Although postseason attention often (and justifiably) centers on bullpens, Counsell reiterated before the series, "Matthew Boyd's contribution for outs is crucial. It remains an integral part of our strategy for victory."
Boyd delivered effectively, minimizing damage and keeping the game tight at 1-0 when he exited the mound in the fifth inning with one out and a runner on base. Counsell demonstrated decisive management, pulling the left-hander after 58 pitches, having allowed him to face the Padres' lineup twice.
Daniel Palencia, Chicago's flamethrowing 100-mph reliever and primary closer for much of the season, skillfully navigated a formidable segment of the Padres' lineup across the fifth and sixth innings, facing Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, Manny Machado, Merrill, and Bogaerts.
Counsell's strategic deployment of Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Kittredge, and Brad Keller resulted in three additional scoreless innings from his bullpen. Overall, Cubs relievers proved dominant, recording 14 outs without surrendering a single hit or walk.
While Matthew Boyd, an All-Star in the first half, displayed some fatigue towards the season's end, his performance in Game 1 provided his teammates with the necessary platform for victory.
For the Cubs to extend their postseason run deep into October, consistent and reliable starting pitching will be paramount. As Counsell rightly observed, relying solely on bullpen games is unsustainable. Furthermore, a prolonged playoff journey might even allow enough recovery time for Cade Horton to potentially rejoin the rotation.
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Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6677658/2025/09/30/cubs-padres-tigers-guardians-score-results-takeaways-mlb-playoffs/
