San Diego’s season ended in a tense, controversial finish as a late strike call by D.J. Reyburn helped Chicago pull away in Game 3. The Padres’ offense stalled across the series, totaling just five runs and going 3-for-26 with runners in scoring position, leaving 19 on base as frustration spilled from the dugout.

ABS arrives next year, a potential game‑changer for postseason calls, but San Diego’s immediate takeaway is accountability for the umpiring and a call that altered the moment. Bogaerts, Tatis Jr., and Machado scuffled, underscoring the need for more run production to complement the pitching depth that carried the Cubs.

The Cubs ride Taillon’s late-season surge (1.57 ERA, 0.902 WHIP in six starts) into a winner-takes-all clash at Wrigley, while San Diego’s Yu Darvish, back from elbow issues, faces a Chicago lineup that hunts contact and keeps balls in the park. Chicago leans on disciplined at-bats and a bullpen map sharpened by postseason history; San Diego counters with Darvish’s upside and the threat of Tatis Jr. to puncture any missteps.

Historical notes color the mood: Chicago has navigated multiple two-game splits in past playoff series, with home wins in key moments, and 2025's pattern of frequent scoring after early blanks informs both teams’ approach. Expect Taillon’s efficiency and Cubs’ home-field edge to shape late-inning decisions as the Cubs try to close out the series.

The Padres knocked off the Cubs 3-0 in Game 2, led by a four-hitter from Dylan Cease with late bullpen support. Manny Machado delivered a key two-run homer in the fifth, and San Diego’s top three hitters combined for 4-11 with two RBIs. The series heads to Chicago for a decisive Game 3 as Yu Darvish faces Jameson Taillon. Betting angles center on a tight line, a slight edge to the Padres, and an under-friendly total, with expert projections guiding DFS and live-betting plays.