Dodgers and Phillies meet in heavyweight NLDS showdown
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale breaks down the NLDS series between the red-hot Dodgers and NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Sports Pulse
The National League Wild Card Series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs is down to a winner-take-all Game 3 at Wrigley Field, with the winner advancing to the next round of the MLB playoffs.
Chicago took the opener on Tuesday but San Diego bounced back with a shutout victory in Game 2 to force this best-of-three wild card series into a deciding game. Veteran Yu Darvish (5-5, 5.38 ERA) is making his 14th career postseason start, while right-hander James Taillon (11-7, 3.68 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs.
“Playoff baseball is kind of everything I wanted it to be,” said Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, playing in his first postseason. “Wrigley is amazing.”
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Where to watch Cubs vs Padres: TV channel, live stream
Thursday’s game is airing on ESPN and can be streamed with Fubo.
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 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.
Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Michael Busch (L) 1BNico Hoerner (R) 2BIan Happ (S) LFKyle Tucker (L) DHSeiya Suzuki (R) RFCarson Kelly (R) CPete Crow-Armstrong (L) CFDansby Swanson (R) SSMatt Shaw (R) 3BFernando Tatis Jr. (R) RFLuis Arraez (L) 1BManny Machado (R) 3BJackson Merrill (L) CFXander Bogaerts (R) SSRyan O’Hearn (L) DHGavin Sheets (L) LFJake Cronenworth (L) 2BFreddy Fermin (R) C
USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts are split on the outcome of Game 3:
Bob Nightengale: Cubs 5, Padres 3Gabe Lacques: Padres 7, Cubs 4Jesse Yomtov: Padres 6, Cubs 3