One mistake is all it takes to flip a game, and potentially a series.
That’s what occurred Wednesday when Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga’s splitter hovered too far over the middle of the strike zone against Manny Machado with the Padres nursing a one-run lead. Machado, who had been booed by Cubs fans before every at-bat, gave them a reason to jeer.
Machado hit a two-out, two-run homer to extend the Padres’ lead to three. It was the knockout blow in Wednesday’s 3-0 Game 2 win that tied the wild-card series at 1-1.
EVENED THE SERIES pic.twitter.com/zGIvyM2On3
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 1, 2025
Machado hadn’t had much success previously against Imanaga, batting 1-for-9 with six strikeouts before Wednesday’s game. But with elimination staring his team in the face, Machado delivered.
“Listen, he’s Manny Machado,” manager Mike Shildt said. “You just see him be that nice at ease, and try to put a good swing, not try to do too much. When Manny is in that spot, it’s a lethal spot.”
The Padres played with the necessary desperation befitting the team on the brink of elimination and flexed their postseason mettle.
“We’re here to win, so we’re not backing down,” center fielder Jackson Merrill said. “We don’t care if we lost the first game. We’re gonna come back and fight every day until it’s our last.”
The Padres’ offense did just enough as their pitching staff overpowered the Cubs’ lineup. Right-hander Dylan Cease threw 3⅔ scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking one. The bullpen pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings to keep control of the game.
“We played with an edge,” Cease said. “We played with energy. At the end of the day, we played really clean baseball, and that’s what it takes to win at this time of year.”
Game 2 demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift in the postseason. After landing the first punch with a Game 1 victory, now the Cubs are suddenly reeling ahead of the deciding Game 3. The Cubs’ team features many players experiencing their first taste of the playoffs.
The core of the Padres’ team experienced heartbreak when they lost Game 5 of last year’s National League Division Series to the Dodgers. Merrill said the preparation doesn’t change in an elimination game, but having that experience won’t hurt the Padres.
As Game 2 wore on, the energy at Wrigley Field was noticeably different from Game 1. There was more groaning and angst as Cubs fans grew restless with their listless offense.
“It’s a beautiful thing [playing] in front of these crowds with what’s at stake,” Machado said. “Our boys went out there and competed as well as we can and left it all on the field.”
The Padres were brimming with confidence postgame after Wednesday’s win. They know that anything can happen in a win-or-go-home Game 3.
“I knew [the series] was going to be a grind,” Machado said. “Nothing’s easy at this point of the season. Like I told the boys, ‘Let’s go out there and continue to grind. To climb these mountains is not easy. You’ve got the best of the best playing right now, who have all had a hell of a season and tremendous years.
“This is why we’re here. Go out there, compete and enjoy it. Just leave it on the field.”
