The intense pressure and rapid pace of postseason baseball can define a team's entire season in a blink, and for several clubs, the path to glory is already looking perilously short. Barely two days after the conclusion of a demanding six-month regular season, four teams across the league are now staring down the barrel of imminent elimination from championship contention.
Among these teams on the precipice are the San Diego Padres. Their pursuit of a 2025 World Series title suffered a significant setback on Tuesday, as they fell in Game 1 of their National League Wild Card Series. This opening defeat has placed the Padres in a precarious position, with their postseason aspirations hanging by a thread.
The manner of their loss in Chicago was a frustratingly familiar sight for fans, mirroring a recurring issue that plagued them throughout the 2025 regular season. Despite opportunities, the Padres consistently failed to bring runners home from scoring positions, an offensive struggles that ultimately proved decisive. This inability to convert crucial scoring chances has left the team with their backs against the wall, facing a formidable challenge to stay alive in the Wild Card Series.
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Originally published at: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/09/30/postseason-hitting-woes-plague-padres-again-as-cubs-win-game-1-of-wild-card-series/
