Cubs bullpen dominance anchors a 3-1 Game 1 triumph in the NL wild-card, with Brad Keller’s late save and Daniel Palencia’s five-out surge reshaping the game’s momentum. Palencia silenced the Padres’ top order, while Keller closed out Bogaerts to seal the win. Chicago’s relief corps delivered 4 2/3 perfect innings, setting the tone for a momentum swing into Game 2.

Counsell praised the relievers’ resilience and the unit’s cohesion, highlighting matched-up outs and confidence in the late innings. The result gives the Cubs a crucial edge as they head to San Diego for the next chapter of the series, with the bullpen as the story of the night.

All-hands bullpen execution powers the Cubs to a 3-1 win in Game 1 of the NL wild-card series, with Craig Counsell tearing down traditional roles and leaning on a flexible, ego-free relief corps. Daniel Palencia returns from an IL stint to log crucial outs, while Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Kittredge, and Brad Keller bridge the later innings. Seiya Suzuki supplied a spark with a fifth-inning homer, and the Cubs closed it out with Keller sealing the deal as the crowd roared.

The message is clear: in October, trust and versatility beat static roles. The Padres’ big guns were stifled by a bullpen willing to adapt on the fly, proving that the next man up can be the difference-maker when the stakes are highest.

Chicago's bullpen has evolved from a postseason liability into a true weapon, as the Cubs opened the NL Wild Card Series with a 3-1 win over the Padres. Daniel Palencia returned from a shoulder injury to throw five outs in a key middle-inning sequence, setting the tone for a relief corps that retired all 14 Padres hitters. Pomeranz, Kittredge and Keller closed, while Colin Rea gives Chicago a multi-inning option in October. Counsell’s depth, plus Civale’s shift to relief, reshapes late-game plans and fantasy upside for the Cubs.

Eight young players could reshape October for fantasy, four from the American League and four from the National League. They blend elite bat speed, power and velo with room to grow in playoff roles. Addison Barger, Dominic Canzone, Connelly Early, and Cam Schlittler headline the AL group; Chase Burns, Caleb Durbin, Daniel Palencia, and Emmet Sheehan anchor the NL pack.

Look for October breakout triggers in elevated plate appearances, late-inning chances and bullpen leverage who can convert raw tools into late-season fantasy gains. These names offer upside if they log meaningful playoff reps and deliver in clutch spots.