The Chicago Cubs are on the brink of elimination in the National League Wild Card Series after an 8-0 loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 1 at Petco Park.
San Diego held Chicago to three hits and struck out 10 batters on Tuesday, while the Cubs went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson emphasized the need for composure and fundamentals ahead of the win-or-go-home contest.
"At this time of year, it can be challenging because you go so in depth with the other team & trying to navigate what they’re going to do … I think the greatest reminder is if we do what we do best, then we feel like we’re a really good baseball team," Swanson said.
Swanson went 0-for-3 with a strikeout while batting ninth in Game 1, following a regular season in which he posted a .
213 batting average, 19 home runs, and 69 RBIs across 126 games.
"Really and truly it's about staying locked in on every pitch.
Just laying it all out there and understanding that we're at our best when we do what we do best," Swanson said.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman will take the mound for Chicago against San Diego right-hander Nick Pivetta.
Gausman registered a 4.83 ERA in nine starts after joining the Cubs from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug.
2.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell reshuffled his lineup by placing Seiya Suzuki in the cleanup spot for the opening game.
The Padres clinched the top Wild Card seed after finishing the regular season 91-71, supported by first baseman Ty France reaching 500 plate appearances to secure a $200,000 contract incentive.
A victory for Chicago forces a decisive Game 3 on Thursday, with the series winner set to advance against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
