Defense helps Cubs shut down Padres 3-1, win wild card and division date with Brewers

The Chicago Cubs shut down Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres for a clinching 3-1 victory in Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series on Thursday.

Backed by a raucous crowd of 40,895 at Wrigley Field, Chicago used its stellar defense to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2017. Michael Busch hit a solo homer, and Jameson Taillon pitched four shutout innings before manager Craig Counsell used five relievers to close it out.

Dansby Swanson just kept making plays for the Chicago Cubs in the field. Grounders up the middle and in the hole. Soft liners and popups.

The shortstop, a two-time Gold Glove winner, was in the right place every time — drawing high praise from San Diego manager Mike Shildt in defeat.

“We play great defense, but Dansby Swanson absolutely beat us with his glove this series,” Shildt said.

In a three-game series that had only 11 runs, the Cubs won with their gloves more than their bats. Defense was part of Chicago’s identity all season long, helping the Cubs to a 92-70 record and the top NL wild card.

It starts with Swanson, second baseman Nico Hoerner — a Gold Glove winner in 2023 — and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong up the middle. But left fielder Ian Happ has three Gold Gloves, and right fielder Kyle Tucker — serving as the team’s designated hitter while recovering from a calf injury — is a former Gold Glove winner.

Crow-Armstrong gave pitcher Jamison Taillon a lift with a sliding catch on Manny Machado’s sinking liner for the final out of the first inning on Thursday. The 23-year-old Crow-Armstrong should be in the mix for his first Gold Glove this year.

“The defense certainly stands out tonight, especially our middle infielders,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Pete this series, Matt Shaw this series, like absolutely some huge plays.”

Next up for Chicago is a matchup with the NL Central champion Brewers in a compelling Division Series, beginning with Game 1 on Saturday in Milwaukee.



(AP Photo Nam Huh)