Defensive whiz Dansby Swanson leads Cubs’ wild-card win: ‘He almost single-handedly beat us with his glove’

When the Cubs were charting a winning future during their stretch without a playoff appearance, they spent $177 million on Dansby Swanson to be the center of the next contender at Wrigley Field.

On Thursday, they found out you get what you pay for.

Swanson was sensational in the wild-card series, delivering the consistently excellent defense that made him a two-time Gold Glover. After making two run-saving plays Tuesday, he returned with a spate of robberies to preserve the Cubs’ narrow advantage in their 3-1 victory in Game 3 that punched their ticket to the National League Division Series.

In a sport often defined by tape-measure home runs and speed-limit-breaking fastballs, Swanson showed defense still wins, if not championships, then at least opening-round playoff series.

“It was just like being a kid,” Swanson said after the game. “I’ve been doing things like that in my backyard my whole life. And in these moments, I literally think it’s the most fun thing in the world.”

“He’s incredible,” second baseman Nico Hoerner told the Sun-Times during the Cubs’ champagne celebration. “He’s got a pulse that’s built for October.”

Swanson twice stole would-be leadoff hits from Padres first baseman Luis Arraez and wiped away a nascent San Diego chance with a double play, enormous plays in the no-margin-for-error world of playoff baseball that made what was for much of the game a 2-0 lead seem a lot larger.

“I don’t think they give an MVP for this round, [but] I’d give it to Swanson,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “Dansby played his tail off, man. He almost single-handedly beat us with his glove.”

As the Cubs churned through pitchers in Game 3, Swanson was a constant. And anyone who has watched this team this season knows he plays that kind of defense on a daily basis.

His offensive numbers might not exactly match his contract. The team’s highest-paid player, Swanson had its 11th-highest wRC-plus during the regular season. But thanks to his all-around game, he’s delivering on the Cubs’ plans for him as a franchise cornerstone.

“You can start to take it for granted when you get to see that kind of greatness every day,” Hoerner said. “But I’m so glad he has this stage to remind the baseball world what kind of player and teammate he is. He’s an incredible competitor. He’s helped us win so many games, and now he’s doing it on the biggest stage.”

Swanson isn’t alone. The Cubs are packed with Gold Glovers — Hoerner, left fielder Ian Happ, right fielder Kyle Tucker, in addition to Swanson — and Pete Crow-Armstrong has been outrageously good in center field.

Hoerner made a great snag on a late line drive. Even usual designated hitter Seiya Suzuki stepped up with a perfect play in right with Tucker as the DH because of his barking calf.

It has been a team hallmark, and now these Cubs can say they’ve won a playoff series — the franchise’s first since 2017 — in part on the back of its defense.

“It’s been a staple of our group all year,” Swanson said. “We have so many talented defenders and guys that can prevent runs from being scored. We talk about it all the time: Winning baseball is a race to 27 outs. The quicker you get there, obviously the more games you’re going to win. And for us, this series, that was a big part of why we won.”

And it will continue to be a big factor if the Cubs keep winning.

Just like the franchise cornerstone with the big contract. The man with the golden glove.