Taillon set to face Darvish in decisive Game 3
Playing a decisive Game 3 on Thursday is one more chance for Cubs fans to enjoy playoff excitement at Wrigley Field. That's one way to look at it.
“The fans are bringing it,” Game 3 starter Jameson Taillon said after Wednesday's loss to San Diego. “I know they'll bring it again (Thursday).”
Taillon faced the Padres once this year, on April 14 in San Diego, giving up 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings. He talked about getting mentally prepared to pitch Game 3 as Wednesday's loss carried into the later innings.
“I just started getting excited for tomorrow,” he said. “Just kind of putting my head down and starting to think about what tomorrow is going to look like and feel like.
“I think it's less about me and just more about these guys. I really do love this team and love this city. I want to come through for these guys in here. This is why I'm here, I'm here to pitch these types of games.”
Taillon has two postseason appearances under his belt, both for the Yankees in 2022.
His opponent, Yu Darvish, pitched for the Cubs from 2018-20. Now 38, the right-handed Darvish posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA this season. He spoke before Game 2 about pitching again at Wrigley Field.
“Wrigley Field does have a special place in my heart,” Darvish said through a translator. “I just feel fortunate that I may have the possibility to pitch on the mound here. This place did me good, the organization, the fans did me good too.”
Darvish also talked about how he and Seiya Suzuki are good friends, and share the same agent.
Busy bullpen
One thing to watch for Game 3 is San Diego has already gone deep into their MLB-best bullpen. Flamethrower Mason Miller and left-hander Adrian Morejon have appeared in both of the first two games, while closer Robert Suarez executed a four-out save in Game 2.
“The consolation today was we pitched really well in the back half of the game,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “They obviously used Morejon and Miller multiple innings and even Suarez multiple innings. So, look, those are good arms. That is what they've done to the league all year.”
San Diego manager Mike Shildt was asked if any of those pitchers will be off limits in Game 3.
“I would have an expectation that all hands are on deck tomorrow,” Shildt said. “But we're also going to take their temperature and be smart. We've got to value their careers as well. We've only had two guys go three days in a row all year, and we've saved it for these circumstances.”
Cease and desist
The Padres started a familiar face in Game 2, but this seemed like a different version of Dylan Cease compared to when he pitched on the South Side. During his final season with the White Sox in 2023, Cease averaged 95.6 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball, according to Statcast.
In this game, Cease went past 99 mph nine times, peaking at 99.7. It was a short outing, though. Cease left after just 3 2/3 innings and 69 pitches. He allowed no runs, 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5.
“I was definitely pretty sharp,” Cease said. “I mean, in some ways you could argue that was probably one of my sharpest, if not my sharpest, of the year.”
At the same time, Cease was soft-tossing compared to Padres reliever Mason Miller in the seventh and eighth innings. Miller hit 104.5 miles per hour, according to Statcast, on a called strike three to Carson Kelly, and threw 11 pitches above 102 mph.