Recap: What happened in Game 2
The Cubs faced a 3-0 deficit after Manny Machado connected on a first-pitch splitter in the fifth inning, extending the Padres’ lead in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. The homer came after Fernando Tatis Jr. walked and took second on Luis Arraez’s sacrifice bunt, creating an open base and prompting questions about Chicago’s decision to pitch to Machado. The final still left the Cubs with a deciding Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday.
Why Counsell stood by the move
After the loss, Cubs manager Craig Counsell defended his choice to keep Shota Imanaga in the game to face Machado. “The results suggest that we should have done something different,” Counsell acknowledged, adding “Really just confidence in Shota, plain and simple there. I thought he was pitching well. I thought he was throwing the ball really well, and, unfortunately, he made a mistake.” The decision followed an inning in which Chicago had already used an opener in Game 2, a strategy designed to avoid facing Tatis and Machado early. Counsell said he considered walking Machado but ultimately chose to pitch to him instead, a decision that will be scrutinized ahead of Game 3.
Imanaga’s take on the moment
Imanaga addressed the choice through an interpreter, saying, “Walking him wasn’t in my head. That splitter was meant for down in the zone.” He defended the pitch as a location play, while acknowledging the outcome that changed the frame of the game.
Openers, strategy, and the broader context
The Cubs’ use of an opener in Game 2 was meant to shield Imanaga from the earliest blows, particularly against the Padres’ top lineups. However, the fifth inning presented a different challenge: Machado came up with a full count and a chance to swing at a pitch in the zone that reestablished San Diego’s cushion. Counsell noted that there was a plan behind the sequencing, even if the result didn’t pan out as hoped.
Padres’ perspective and Game 3 edge
Padres catcher and in-game voices offered measured responses. Machado downplayed the approach, saying, “I’m 0-for-6 at that point. So yeah, I’m not thinking about that. For myself, I was just thinking about trying to get to Imanaga.” Padres manager Mike Shildt kept the focus on his own club, remarking, “I’ve got my hands full with my own club. I can’t be thinking about anybody else’s strategy.” The exchange underscored a chess-match between two managers as the series shifted toward a winner-take-all affair.
Game 3 preview: Darvish vs Taillon
With the series tied, the Padres will turn to Yu Darvish against Chicago’s Jameson Taillon in Game 3 at Wrigley Field. Taillon expressed a mix of anticipation and readiness: “I’m excited. As [Game 2] got going there, I started to get excited for tomorrow. You do a lot of work throughout the season for big moments. I’m looking forward to it.” The Cubs will rely on Taillon to stabilize the rotation and push their postseason hopes forward in a must-win scenario.
Looking ahead: what this means for Cubs-Padres
The decisive Game 3 will determine who advances in the NL Wild Card race. The tactical decisions made in Game 2—especially the choice to pitch to Machado in that fifth inning—will be a focal point for analysts and fans watching closely at Wrigley. Both managers will likely weigh bullpen options, matchup considerations, and the psychological edge that can swing a single game with high leverage on the line.
