Cubs' Electric Performance Ignites Wrigley, Sets Stage for Wild Card Thriller
The Cubs took the first step towards their National League Division Series (NLDS) bid with a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly's back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning sparked the team's victory.
Manager Craig Counsell's bold pitching decision to bring in closer Daniel Palencia proved pivotal, as Palencia pitched 3 1/3 perfect innings to secure the win. "This was the save to me," Counsell said. "We needed to get that stopper, and Daniel was the guy to get it done."
The Cubs' victory marked a crucial turning point in their season, with starting pitcher Matthew Boyd saying, "We knew we had the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs. This was just the first step, but it was a big one." The team will face off against the Padres in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Cubs Take Game 1 Lead in NL Wild Card Series with Thrilling 3-1 Victory

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