In an electrifying start to the NL Wild Card Series, the Chicago Cubs triumphed over the San Diego Padres with a score of 3-1 on Tuesday. This victory marked the Cubs' first playoff win since the 2017 National League Championship Series, ending a drought that has lingered since their last postseason appearance in 2020, when they were swept by Miami in the wild-card round. The standout moment of the game came from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly, who hit back-to-back homers, propelling Chicago to victory.
The Cubs' bullpen delivered a flawless performance, showcasing their strength in crucial moments. Manager Craig Counsell praised his pitchers, stating, “Just a brilliant job. Everybody just executed pitches, made pitches. Can’t say enough about what they did today.” The bullpen's effectiveness played a significant role in securing the win, as they managed to shut down the Padres' lineup after starter Matthew Boyd exited the game.
In the fifth inning, Suzuki launched a stunning 424-foot homer to left-center off pitcher Nick Pivetta, tying the game at one. This thrilling moment electrified the crowd of 39,114 at Wrigley Field, who were waving towels in support. Following Suzuki's homer, Kelly followed suit with a towering shot over the left-center wall, marking a historic moment as the duo became the first Cubs players to hit back-to-back homers in the postseason since Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler did so on October 15, 2016.
“Simply put, it was fantastic,” Suzuki expressed through a translator, reflecting on the exhilarating atmosphere. “You just felt the passion of the fans, them cheering us on.” Meanwhile, Kelly, a Chicago native, celebrated his moment, raising his right arm in triumph as he rounded first base.
Despite a strong start from Pivetta, who struck out nine batters in five innings, the Padres struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. They initially took the lead in the second inning with back-to-back doubles from Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts. However, a throwing error by center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong allowed Bogaerts to advance to third base, but the Cubs' defense held strong, preventing any further scoring.
Padres slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. acknowledged the missed chances, stating, “Everybody knows how big those situations are. We've just got to do better in those situations.” The Cubs' Dansby Swanson made a crucial running catch in the fourth inning, which was recognized by Padres manager Mike Shildt as a pivotal moment in the game.
As the series continues, Game 2 will take place back at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Cubs will start Andrew Kittredge as an opener, likely followed by Shota Imanaga, while the Padres will send Dylan Cease to the mound. Cease, drafted by the Cubs in 2014 and traded to the White Sox in July 2017, reflected on his past, saying, “I definitely have no hard feelings towards them, but yeah, it feels like a lifetime ago.”
This pivotal matchup in the NL Wild Card Series sets the stage for an exciting continuation as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
