The San Diego Padres will face the Chicago Cubs in a crucial Wild Card series starting Tuesday. One player with a personal stake in the matchup is reliever Jeremiah Estrada.
Estrada’s Journey with the Cubs
Jeremiah Estrada, a California native, was drafted by the Cubs in 2017. He made his major league debut in 2022, appearing in five games with a commendable 3.18 ERA. However, his performance dipped in 2023. After 12 games, his ERA swelled to 6.75, leading the Cubs to designate him for assignment.
The Padres seized the opportunity and claimed Estrada off waivers. Since joining San Diego, he has turned his career around, maintaining an impressive 3.22 ERA over 139 games.
Estrada’s Performance with the Padres
Estrada has established himself as a key component of the Padres’ bullpen, featuring in 77 games this season—more than any other Padres pitcher. His dominance is reflected in his 108 strikeouts over 73 innings, leading all Major League Baseball relievers.
In his previous encounters with the Cubs this season, Estrada has not allowed a hit, striking out six batters across three innings.
Looking Ahead: The Wild Card Series
As the Padres prepare for the Wild Card series, Estrada is eager to demonstrate his growth and talents to his former team. He stated, “It’s about, ‘This is what you guys missed out on.’” His motivation to excel against the Cubs is clear.
While Estrada is a standout, he is not the only reliable arm in the Padres bullpen. Although All-Star Jason Adam is sidelined for the season due to injury, new addition Mason Miller has made an impactful start, logging a remarkable 0.77 ERA since joining the club. Other contributors include Robert Suarez, who has permitted just one run in his last eight outings, and Adrian Morejon, whose ERA is just above 2.00.
Game Details
- Game: Padres vs. Cubs
- Date: Tuesday
- Time: 12:08 p.m. PT
The upcoming series is a significant opportunity for Estrada and the Padres as they aim to advance further in the postseason.
