Imagine sitting on the edge of your seat, heart pounding, as the final moments of a nail-biting baseball series unfold. That’s exactly what happened when the Chicago Cubs clinched a HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY to advance to the NLDS, leaving fans breathless and exhilarated. This wasn’t just a win—it was a testament to grit, strategy, and sheer determination in the face of an unbelievably stressful game that capped off an incredibly tight series. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the Padres’ bullpen lived up to its hype, deploying relievers like Jeremiah Estrada in the second inning and closer Robert Suarez in the sixth, the Cubs found a way to scrape by—just enough to secure the win. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t just about the pitching duels or the Padres’ aggressive tactics; it was about the Cubs’ resilience, with players like PCA driving in the go-ahead run, Dansby Swanson walking in a crucial run, and Michael Busch delivering a HUGE homer off Suarez late in the game (https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/10/02/michael-busch-hits-a-huge-homer-off-padres-closer-robert-suarez/).
On the mound, the Cubs’ strategy was a masterclass in precision. Jameson Taillon dominated through four innings before being preemptively replaced by Caleb Thielbar, who handled the Padres’ lefties with ease. Daniel Palencia and Drew Pomeranz followed suit, each doing their part to keep the Padres at bay. But the real drama came in the ninth when Brad Keller gave up a leadoff homer and hit two batters, only for Andrew Kittredge to step in for the third straight game and slam the door shut. Cubs win. Cubs advance.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: robot umpires. After tonight’s game, I’ve officially joined the anti-robot umpire camp—no further questions. But here’s the real question: Do machines truly understand the soul of the game?
There’s SO MUCH to unpack from this game, from Jameson Taillon’s dominance to the Cubs’ offensive highlights, including Ian Happ’s double and sac bunt, Kyle Tucker’s two hits, and PCA’s three-hit performance, including the game-winning run. But one player stood head and shoulders above the rest: Dansby Swanson. The Cubs shortstop was an absolute menace on defense, making play after play that kept the Padres in check. His performance was so stellar that he deserves as much credit as the pitching staff for holding the Padres to just four runs over three games. Swanson didn’t just make routine plays—he knocked down tough balls, stuck with them, and gunned runners out at first. It was a defensive masterclass that left me in awe.
So, who gets the Ankin Law ‘Making it Personal’ Player of the Game honors? Dansby FREAKIN SWANSON, hands down. And yes, I’m calling him the series MVP. Controversial? Maybe. But his impact was undeniable. Now, as the Cubs prepare to face the Brewers in Milwaukee, the question remains: Can they keep this momentum going? Cubs win. Cubs advance. Sing the song. Fly the flag. And get ready for the next battle. (Full Box Score: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/padres-vs-cubs/2025/10/02/813059/final)
Written by Michael Cerami, who has been covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation since 2015. Today, he runs the site, contributing as a writer and editor for Cubs, MLB, and other Chicago sports teams. Follow him on Twitter/X @MichaelCerami (https://twitter.com/MichaelCerami).
