Padres vs. Cubs Game 3: Which Underdog Will Seize the Moment in This Nail-Biting Showdown?

Padres vs. Cubs, 5:00 ET

There is just one series remaining in the National League. We already have the Dodgers set to take on the Phillies in what in all likelihood will determine who will represent the National League in the World Series. More on that series later, but I’m excited to see where that one goes. Today, we have the other National League Wild Card Series closing out as the Padres and Cubs battle for a winner-take-all Game 3.

The Padres have looked like the better team in this matchup, if you ask me. I am a Cubs fan, and I have been very honest about that, but I also have been very realistic about this team and its flaws. The Padres have played better than the Cubs for all but one inning of the two games. Both teams have pitched surprisingly well. I’m not sure if the teams are pressing a bit because it is the postseason, but whatever is causing the stress at the dish is working. The Padres have struggled a bit against lefty pitching, but they were able to hit a bomb off of Shota Imanaga yesterday and that pushed them even further away from the Cubs. They have one of, if not the best bullpens in baseball, so even if the starters come out early, they should feel confident in the relievers to get their job done. Today the Padres send out Yu Darvish who should be very familiar with pitching at Wrigley Field from his years with the Cubs. Darvish didn’t have a fantastic season, going just 5-5 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has been brutal on the road, pitching to a 7.26 ERA in seven games. Cubs hitters have not had much luck against him, going just 18-for-93 for a .194 batting average.