Padres and Cubs Set for Explosive Showdown: Which Sluggers Will Dominate Game 1?

The Cubs are the fourth seed, and that was actually the fourth-best record in the league. For a while during the season, it seemed like they were going to be the best team in the National League. Additionally, it looked like they were going to have a better record than some division winners, but it didn’t turn out that way. I do think it is a bit remarkable that the Cubs were able to remain as successful as they have been. Their three best hitters were all absent from any power, and somewhat to hitting in general, from basically July to September. Even in September they weren’t great, but they got a bit better. Kyle Tucker just returned from the injured list before the season ended, but he went just 1-for-11. The Cubs are without their best pitcher from this year as Cade Horton was injured in his last start. So, now, an already hobbled starting staff has to turn to Matthew Boyd. Boyd had a good year for sure, so I’m not trying to take anything away from him. He is 14-8 for the year with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Those numbers are all 15th or better in the league. His ERA at Wrigley this year was 2.51, so he clearly dominates at home, but he significantly struggled in August and September, giving up 30 runs over 56 innings. He only allowed 34 earned runs from March to the end of July. He was good against the Padres this season, allowing just two earned runs over 11.1 innings. His home start against them he allowed five hits and no runs over six innings.