Cubs quash Padres' threat in 9th to make NLDS

CHICAGO -- Pete Crow-Armstrong deed an RBI azygous disconnected a shaky Yu Darvish, and the Chicago Cubs unopen down Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres for a clinching 3-1 triumph successful Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series connected Thursday.

Backed by a raucous assemblage of 40,895 astatine Wrigley Field, Chicago utilized its stellar defence to beforehand successful the postseason for the archetypal clip since 2017.

Michael Busch deed a solo homer, and Jameson Taillon pitched 4 shutout innings earlier manager Craig Counsell utilized 5 relievers to adjacent it out.

After Brad Keller faltered successful the ninth -- allowing Jackson Merrill's leadoff homer and hitting 2 batters -- Andrew Kittredge earned the prevention by retiring Jake Cronenworth connected a bouncer to 3rd and Freddy Fermin connected a flyball to center.

Next up for Chicago is simply a matchup with NL Central champion Milwaukee for a compelling NL Division Series, opening with Game 1 connected Saturday.

Counsell managed the Brewers for 9 years earlier helium was hired by the Cubs successful November 2023, and helium has been lustily booed successful Milwaukee ever since helium departed.

It was a disappointing decorativeness for San Diego aft it made the postseason for the 4th clip successful the past six years. The Padres forced a decisive Game 3 with a 3-0 triumph connected Wednesday, but their biggest stars flopped successful the bid finale.