In a critical Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, the San Diego Padres stumbled to a 3-1 defeat against the Chicago Cubs at a shadow-laden Wrigley Field, pushing their season to the brink. This pivotal loss put their distinctive offensive philosophy, heavily reliant on sacrifice bunts, directly under the spotlight.
The Padres, known for their league-leading 48 sacrifice bunts during the regular season—far exceeding any other team—and a comparatively low home run tally, demonstrated their strategy early. Manager Mike Shildt had previously articulated his trust in players to make in-game decisions, even citing Jackson Merrill's versatility to bunt despite his power potential, especially when facing tough matchups or feeling uncomfortable at the plate.
However, this approach backfired dramatically in Tuesday's opener. Leading by a run in the fourth inning, Jackson Merrill, a standout center fielder, laid down a bunt against a left-handed pitcher, a decision he later claimed as his own. While initially successful in moving a runner, it preceded a collective offensive collapse. Despite doubles from Merrill and Xander Bogaerts in the second inning securing their only run, subsequent batters failed to capitalize. Later, with Manny Machado on base after a leadoff walk, Merrill's bunt advanced him to second, but the threat dissolved as Dansby Swanson made a stellar defensive play against Ryan O'Hearn, and Gavin Sheets flied out. This marked the Padres' last true scoring opportunity.
The Cubs seized control in the fifth inning. Padres starter Nick Pivetta, pitching without his usual catcher, had delivered five strong innings but faltered. Seiya Suzuki blasted a fastball into the left-field bleachers to tie the game, followed immediately by Carson Kelly sending another fastball over the fence for the go-ahead run. This rare back-to-back homer sequence was only the second in Padres' postseason history, the first also occurring against the Cubs in the 1984 NLCS.
Beyond strategic decisions and specific plays, the challenging conditions at Wrigley Field, particularly the encroaching shadows in the late afternoon, compounded the Padres' struggles. Hitters from both sides faced difficulty seeing the ball, especially against high-velocity relievers. Despite this, players like Manny Machado insisted on accountability, stating, "There's no excuses, man. You've got to go out there and play."
With their season on the line, the Padres now face an uphill battle. Since the 2022 playoff format began, no team losing Game 1 of a best-of-three series has advanced. Manager Shildt expressed disappointment but maintained a determined outlook, expecting the team to "take care of business" in Game 2. Merrill affirmed their commitment to "play our brand of baseball," suggesting their unique, bunt-heavy style is likely to persist. Dylan Cease is slated to start Game 2, tasked with keeping the Padres' postseason hopes alive in a hostile environment, a daunting challenge reminiscent of their 2019 comeback from a 1-0 deficit, albeit in a fan-less Petco Park.
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Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6678326/2025/09/30/padres-wild-card-loss-game-1/
