Padres Sweep Cubs Out of Wild Card Series with 4-1 Win

Padres Complete Wild Card Sweep

The San Diego Padres finished off a two game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 4-1 win on Wednesday night. After an 8-0 shutout in the opening game, San Diego shut down Chicago's offense once again before sellout crowds at Petco Park.

Xander Bogaerts started the scoring by driving in the first run. Later in the game, pinch hitter Gavin Sheets broke things open with a two run home run. The victory marked San Diego's fifth playoff series win over the last seven years. It also avenged last season, when Chicago eliminated the Padres in three wild card games at Wrigley Field.

Pitching Dominance and History Made

Chicago entered the postseason leading the majors in runs and the National League in home runs. San Diego's pitching staff held them to just eight total hits and seven singles across 18 innings. Five pitchers combined to allow only five hits in Game 2.

Catcher Ethan Salas made history during the win. Salas drove in a run and became the youngest player to ever catch a postseason game in major league history. The Padres have now won 19 of their last 22 games since Sept. 5.

San Diego now advances to play the Milwaukee Brewers in the division series starting Saturday in Milwaukee. The Padres won four of six meetings against the Brewers this season, including a three game sweep at Petco Park in August.

What it means for the next game

Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres (MLB, Fri, 02 Oct): San Diego Padres win 49%, Chicago Cubs win 51%; projected score San Diego Padres 4, Chicago Cubs 4. Our safest pick: Cubs +2.5.

San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers (MLB, Sat, 03 Oct): Milwaukee Brewers win 68%, San Diego Padres win 32%; projected score Milwaukee Brewers 5, San Diego Padres 3. Our safest pick: Brewers to win.