The postseason is all about timely hitting, clutch performances, and momentum swings, and the Chicago Cubs delivered on all three on Tuesday night in their National League Wild Card opener against the San Diego Padres.  The Cubs won 6-3 thanks to back-to-back home runs by Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly, giving them an early lead in the best-of-three series.

A Power Surge in the Fourth

The Cubs entered the fourth inning tied 1-1 with the Padres.  Starter Joe Musgrove had been dealing, keeping Chicago’s bats quiet for the first few frames.  However, as the inning progressed, the game’s momentum changed dramatically.

 With one out, Seiya Suzuki entered the box.  The Japanese outfielder, who had been one of Chicago’s most consistent hitters down the stretch, connected with a fastball and drove it deep over the left-center field wall.  Wrigleyville fans at Petco Park erupted as Suzuki rounded the bases, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

Almost immediately, Carson Kelly followed suit.  Kelly is better known for his defense and ability to handle pitchers than for his bat.  But on this night, he delivered, hitting a solo shot to left on the very next pitch.  The Cubs had suddenly gone back-to-back, bringing the score to 3-1 and sending Padres fans into stunned silence.

Cubs Stay Aggressive

The home runs were only part of the story.  Chicago kept the pressure on San Diego all night, scoring runs with smart baserunning and timely hits.  Cody Bellinger added an RBI double in the sixth, and Ian Happ added a sacrifice fly in the eighth, keeping the lead comfortable.

 Cubs starter Justin Steele pitched five innings and struck out six.  He held the Padres to two runs, both coming on a Manny Machado double in the third, before turning the ball over to Chicago’s bullpen.

The relief corps did its part as well.  Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather, and Adbert Alzolay combined to pitch four innings of one-run ball, preventing any late Padres rallies.

Padres Struggle to Capitalize

Given the opportunities available to them, San Diego found the loss frustrating.  The Padres stranded nine runners and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.  Manny Machado’s bat provided some life, and Fernando Tatis Jr. made an outstanding defensive play in right field, but the lineup as a whole failed to deliver in crucial moments.

Musgrove, meanwhile, lost after allowing four runs in 5.2 innings.  Manager Mike Shildt praised his effort after the game, but admitted that the back-to-back home runs were the turning point: “They changed the whole complexion of the game.”  We had momentum early, but that swing from Suzuki, then Kelly right behind him, it was tough to recover from.”

Suzuki’s Star Continues to Rise

For Suzuki, the moment was another high point in what has become a breakout campaign.  Following an adjustment period in his first year in the majors, he has developed into one of the Cubs’ most reliable offensive weapons.  His power, plate discipline, and ability to handle high-pressure situations have made him a key figure in the team’s postseason success.

 Kelly’s homer, while unexpected, demonstrated the Cubs’ “next man up” mentality.  Following the game, manager Craig Counsell stated, “It doesn’t matter where it comes from.  This group believes someone will step up every night, and tonight it was Carson.”

Looking Ahead

With the victory, the Cubs take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and are in position to close things out in Game 2.  A victory would secure their spot in the National League Division Series, where they would face the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Padres, on the other hand, are now facing elimination.  In Game 2, they will turn to Yu Darvish, hoping that the veteran right-hander can save their season.  The Cubs are expected to counter with Kyle Hendricks, whose postseason experience has proven invaluable in previous years.

Final Thoughts

The postseason is defined by big moments, and Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly’s back-to-back homers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series were particularly memorable.  Those swings gave the Cubs control, silenced Petco Park, and established the tone for the rest of the night.

If Chicago continues to receive contributions from all levels of the lineup, from stars like Suzuki to role players like Kelly, they will be difficult to beat in October.  For the time being, they have the advantage, whereas the Padres will have to dig deep to save their season.