Cubs Eliminate Padres, Advance to NLDS

The Chicago Cubs eliminated the San Diego Padres, beating them 3-1 in a decisive Game 3 at Wrigley Field to win the National League Wild Card Series and advance to the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs had jumped out early in the series with back-to-back fifth-inning homers from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly in Game 1, and their bullpen preserved the clincher in the finale. San Diego — a 90-win team making its fourth playoff trip in six years — was held to just five runs across the three-game series and saw starter Yu Darvish exit early after a season affected by elbow inflammation. The Padres evened the series in Game 2 when Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, but otherwise they could not deliver timely offense. Fans on both sides experienced emotional swings as Chicago moves on to face division rival Milwaukee in the NLDS.