The Chicago Cubs will face the National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS after dispatching the San Diego Padres in the wild card series’ winner-take-all Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Chicago notched a 3-1 win in the decider, chasing San Diego starter Yu Darvish in the second inning. The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out in the frame, but only managed to scratch across two runs – on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single and Dansby Swanson’s RBI walk.
The two teams then traded zeroes until the seventh, when Cubs first baseman Michael Busch hit a solo homer off All-Star reliever Robert Suarez to provide a crucial insurance run.
Cubs starter Jameson Taillon threw four shutout innings and Chicago relievers kept the Padres scoreless until Jackson Merrill led off the ninth inning with a solo home run. Brad Keller, who gave up the homer, got one more out and hit two batters, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate for the Padres. But Andrew Kittredge came in to slam the door and secure the Cubs’ first postseason series win since 2017.
The NLDS meeting between the Cubs and Brewers will be the latest chapter in the saga of Chicago manager Craig Counsell, who managed Milwaukee for nine years before skipping town after the 2023 season.
Game 1 in the best-of-five NLDS is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Brewers’ American Family Field.
Where to watch Cubs vs Padres: TV channel, live stream
Thursday’s game is airing on ESPN and can be streamed with Fubo.
Watch Cubs vs Padres on Fubo
Jackson Merrill home run to lead off ninth inning
Trailing 3-0 and down to three outs, Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill hit a solo home run off Cubs reliever Brad Keller to get San Diego on the board and cut the lead in the final frame. Keller, who had a 2.07 ERA in 68 games this season, had pitched a clean eighth inning.
Cubs escape jam in fifth
With a 2-0 lead, lefty Caleb Thielbar relieved Cubs starter Jameson Taillon to start the fifth inning. Taillon gave up two hits and struck out four without a walk in four scoreless innings but won’t be in line for the win.
Daniel Palencia came in to relieve Thielbar with two outs and a man on first, prompty giving up a double to Padres catcher Freddy Fermin. But with two outs and runners on second and third, Palencia got Fernando Tatis Jr. to fly out to right and escape the jam.
Dansby Swanson walk forces in another run, Cubs up 2-0
Jeremiah Estrada relieved Yu Darvish with nobody out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second and forced in a run by walking Dansby Swanson. But the right-hander recovered to strike out Matt Shaw and get Michael Busch to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Quite an escape from Estrada and the Cubs will regret only getting two runs in the frame.
Pete Crow-Armstrong puts Cubs in front in the second
The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out against Yu Darvish in the bottom of the second on a Kyle Tucker single, Seiya Suzuki double and Carson Kelly was hit by a pitch. Pete Crow-Armstrong singled to center to drive in one bring in the Cubs’ first run, chasing Darvish. Jeremiah Estrada came on to replace San Diego’s starter.
Cubs vs Padres Game 3 underway at Wrigley Field
Cubs starter Jameson Taillon set the Padres down 1-2-3 in the top of the first and the winner-take-all Game 3 has officially begun in Chicago. Taillon struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out to lead off, got Luis Arraez to fly out and then center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a sliding catch to rob Manny Machado of a hit and end the frame.
Cubs lineup today
- Michael Busch (L) 1B
- Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
- Ian Happ (S) LF
- Kyle Tucker (L) DH
- Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
- Carson Kelly (R) C
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
- Dansby Swanson (R) SS
- Matt Shaw (R) 3B
Padres lineup today
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
- Luis Arraez (L) 1B
- Manny Machado (R) 3B
- Jackson Merrill (L) CF
- Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
- Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
- Gavin Sheets (L) LF
- Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
- Freddy Fermin (R) C
Cubs vs Padres predictions
USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts are split on the outcome of Game 3:
- Bob Nightengale: Cubs 5, Padres 3
- Gabe Lacques: Padres 7, Cubs 4
- Jesse Yomtov: Padres 6, Cubs 3