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2026 Wild Card Series - Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres: Sept 29-Oct 1
#31 · October 2, 2026, 12:00 pm
I feel the opposite. Against Mis especially I think you just have to hope to come up with a couple big swings. He led the league in ERA, FIP, Ks, K/9, H/9, WHIP, and a handful of other stats. He's just not a guy you're likely to string together good results off of. If Henderson had the innings to qualify a lot of his numbers wouldn't be far behind. I would seriously consider moving Merrill, France or Sheets into the 2 hole and dropping Harris down against them. Get your big bats as many chances as you can.
There's no world in which they start Bowen in the playoffs. He's strictly a speed and defense guy. If you wanted to make an argument for Taylor over Harris or Taylor in the OF with Tatis at 2B you could. It's been a pretty strict platoon between Harris and Taylor lately though. Taylor is also 1 for his last 18 dating back to the regular season and took some ugly hacks against the Cubs. Against right handed starters I think he's a guy you hope can make an impact off the bench.
#32 · October 2, 2026, 12:47 pm
Mis is good vs everyone but, oddly, he has been more effective vs LHH than RHH. Not a big difference but enough to note.
I think a factor may come from the analysts determining who has the best chance to handle the big FB and have the best chance for an extra base hit. Agree that stringing a series of hits vs Mis in a long shot.
That makes me think Taylor may be left on the bench ... maybe Hays to LF (outside chance Andujar and gamble on defense). Sheets has the power were one swing can make the difference and can hit velocity ... so even if LHH should get the DH role.
Do think there is a chance Taylor is dropped for the extra pitcher (probably Vasquez).
#33 · October 2, 2026, 4:57 pm
Most pundits are predicting the Brewers to win the series in 5, citing their league leading 103 wins, huge run scoring versus runs given up differential and good to great pitching both in SP and in the bullpen. However, in a short series a lot of what happened before goes out the window and whoever has the momentum has the advantage albeit slight. Brewers, like the Padres, won 8 of their last 10 regular season games including 5 straight at the end. You could argue that the Padres' opponents were tougher but there is no denying that the Brewers are a very good team.
My prediction differs from that of the pundits in that I don't think there will be a Game 5; the Padres (hopefully) and not the Brewers will win it in 4. We'll find out a lot by what happens in Game 1, but I think the Padres confidence and health are at a season high and that will help them overcome whatever advantages most people think the Brewers have. Leave it all on the field! GO PADRES!!!