The San Diego Padres faced a challenging moment in their NL Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs, particularly with the performance of starting pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish exited Game 3 after just two innings, having allowed a run and leaving the bases loaded.
Yu Darvish’s Early Exit
Darvish’s start on Thursday was uncharacteristically poor for the postseason performer. He managed only three outs before being replaced by Jeremiah Estrada, who subsequently walked in another run, bringing the Padres’ deficit to 2-0. Estrada did stabilize the situation by striking out Matt Shaw and inducing a crucial double play.
Darvish’s Postseason History
- In the 2022 postseason, Darvish posted a 2.88 ERA across four games.
- His performance in the 2024 postseason improved, with a 1.98 ERA in two starts.
- Prior to Game 3, he had a postseason ERA of 2.56 and a .905 WHIP.
This early exit marks a stark contrast to Darvish’s previous postseason success. Last year, he delivered strong performances against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series, showcasing his potential as a key player during critical games.
Current Team Dynamics
The Padres have relied on their bullpen due to an inconsistent season for Darvish following an injury. Since returning in July, Darvish has posted a 5-5 record with a 5.38 ERA over 15 starts, significantly higher than his 3.31 ERA from the previous year.
Relievers and Game Strategy
With the series on the line, the Padres cannot heavily rely on Adrian Morejon or Mason Miller, both of whom were extensively used in Game 2. However, Michael King remains available and may provide necessary long relief should the situation demand it.
Padres manager Mike Shildt has not ruled out the possibility of using Morejon or Miller, underscoring the need for strategic decisions in tight circumstances. As they look to recover from a two-game slump with only four runs scored in that span, the Padres must leverage their pitching depth effectively.
The Padres will hope for a return to form for both their offense and pitching staff as they face the Cubs in this crucial Wild Card matchup.
