Chicago Cubs make bold pitching move following Wild Card Game One excellence 4 Sep 24, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) before the game against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs manager credits 1 player for Game 3 win over Padres

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 2:56 AM ET

Things got scary in the ninth inning, but the Chicago Cubs survived to defeat the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the Wild Card round. The Cubs pitching staff let only one runner score on Thursday as the Cubs beat the Padres 3-1 in front of 40,895 fans at Wrigley Field.

Right-handed relief pitcher Daniel Palencia earned the win on Thursday during his 1.1 innings pitched, but Cubs manager Craig Counsell credited pitcher Jameson Taillon with leading Chicago to the NLDS to play the Milwaukee Brewers beginning on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs manager praises Jameson Taillon

“I’m just so proud of everybody,” Counsell said with celebratory champagne all over his face, via video from Marquee Sports Network. “Taillon was brilliant. He put the game together with, with, you know, four innings and 14 hitters that was, that was brilliant. But, and then, you know, it takes the whole group down there.

“It took the whole group all year, and it took the whole group tonight, but the kid got it done.”

It's a party in the Cubs clubhouse!#FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/kvsp1cn1pR

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) October 3, 2025

Taillon gave up two hits, no runs, and earned four strikeouts in his four innings pitched. He threw a total of 60 pitches, 43 of which were strikes.

The win was the time the Cubs had won a postseason series since 2017, when they defeated the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

Chicago Cubs manager credits 1 player for Game 3 win over Padres 7 Sep 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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