The celebration is on.
The Chicago Cubs have received the NL Wild Card collection, beating the Padres 3-1.
Listed here are six causes the Cubs clinched the NL Wild Card at Wrigley Discipline on Thursday to maneuver on to the NL Division collection.
Dansby Swanson
The possible Gold Glove winner confirmed off his stuff on Thursday.
He flashed the leather-based on a number of events, making seven outs. The Cubs don’t maintain the Padres scoreless with out his glove.
He additionally took a stroll within the second inning that drove within the Cubs’ second run of the sport.
Pete Crow-Armstrong
The Cubs’ MVP candidate was hitless in his first two video games. He was frustraed together with his efficiency postgame on Wednesday. He responded with a three-hit sport, together with hitting the primary RBI of the sport.
He additionally caught the ultimate out of the sport, sending Wrigley Discipline right into a frenzy.
Jameson Taillon
Thursday’s starter allowed simply two hits in 4 innings of ball. He had command and was locked in from the beginning.
He struck out 4 and by no means put the Cubs in a jam, permitting the offense to grab management within the second inning. His game-opening strikeout of Fernando Tatis Jr. set the tone for the sport.
Michael Busch
If Crow-Armstrong was the star, Busch was the unsung hero.
He went 3 for 4, with two singles and an enormous solo residence run within the seventh inning that offered the Cubs with key insurance coverage runs.
The Cubs’ bullpen
One of the vital nitpicked elements of this crew got here in and allowed only one run – a solo shot by Jackson Merrill – however punctuated a collection that proved they’ve what it takes to carry out within the playoffs.
Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller and Caleb Theilbar all held in key moments. It allowed the Cubs to retain momentum, the place they by no means let the Padres get an opportunity to stack success and wean their manner again into the sport till the ninth inning.
Andrew Kittredge
The Cubs’ midseason acquisition got here in with two on and one out within the ninth inning. His again was in opposition to the wall.
He bought two key outs to win the sport on zero days’ relaxation. Kittredge began Wednesday’s sport, and he closed out the win on Thursday.
