Padres announce Game 1 starter for wild-card series vs. Cubs

Nick Pivetta has struggled against the Chicago Cubs this season 

Starting Pivetta in Game 1 might not be the best decision for the Padres, as he has struggled against the Cubs in two starts versus them this season. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA (9.0 innings) against Chicago, with Cubs batters hitting .286 against him. 

Most of the Cubs' players have seen Pivetta throughout their careers, with Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker and Dansby Swanson having the most at-bats against him. Happ is 3-10 (.300) against Pivetta with six strikeouts, while Tucker is 2-10 (.167) with three strikeouts and Swanson has had the most success against Pivetta, hitting .294 with two home runs, five RBI and 11 strikeouts in 34 at-bats. 

Two Cubs starters remain hitless against Pivetta, with first baseman Michael Busch and second baseman Nico Hoerner collectively sitting at 0-8 with one strikeout against Pivetta. 

The San Diego Padres' bullpen may become a factor early 

The Padres may utilize their bullpen early if Pivetta struggles, as it’s the best part of their roster. Having converted an MLB-leading 49 saves in 65 opportunities, the Padres' bullpen features two of the game's best relievers, Mason Miller and Robert Suarez. 

Miller, a closer in his own right, was traded to the Padres from the Athletics at the trade deadline and has been virtually untouchable, boasting a 0.77 ERA with two saves in 23.1 innings with the Padres. Suarez has pitched to a 4-6 record with a 2.97 ERA in 69.2 innings while leading the National League in saves with 40. Both Miller and Suarez have a 0.00 combined ERA in 4.0 innings and have struck out five versus the Cubs. 

The Cubs may be in for a rough series, as their bullpen is pedestrian at best, having tallied 43 saves in 64 opportunities. Their best reliever is Daniel Palencia, who boasts a 2.91 ERA with 22 saves in 52.2 innings.