Shota Imanaga set for bulk-relief duty as Cubs try to close out Padres

The Chicago Cubs will look to win a postseason series for the first time since 2017 when they host the San Diego Padres on Wednesday in Game 2 of their best-of-three National League wild-card series.

Chicago snapped a 108-year title drought by winning the World Series in 2016. The Cubs advanced to the NL Championship Series the following year, and they were bounced in the wild-card round in 2018 and 2020.

Considering his team missed the playoffs each of the previous four years, it's understandable that Nico Hoerner is preaching patience.

"One day at a time. These wild-card series go really fast," the Cubs second baseman said. "Have a good sleep tonight and (get) back at it."

Hoerner likely will sleep well after collecting two hits and adding a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning of Chicago's 3-1 win on Tuesday.

Seiya Suzuki belted his sixth homer in five games by going deep to lead off the fifth inning. Carson Kelly followed immediately with a solo shot, and four Cubs relievers combined to strike out four batters without allowing a hit over 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

"It was perfect today, that's what it was," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of the bullpen on Tuesday. "It was 14 outs. I've talked a lot about them helping each other and how that group is connected. ... Just a brilliant job. Everyone executed pitches. I can't say enough about what everyone did."

One of those four relief pitchers on Tuesday was right-hander Andrew Kittredge, who will get the spot start on Wednesday.

Kittredge (4-3, 3.40 ERA) threw 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes while retiring the side in order in the eighth inning on Tuesday. It was the first time he faced the Padres this year, and he has a 4.50 ERA without a decision in four career regular-season relief appearances against them.

Kittredge likely will serve as an opener for left-hander Shota Imanaga (9-8, 3.73 ERA). The latter has struggled mightily in the first inning this season, posting an ugly 7.20 ERA.

Imanaga, however, fared well vs. San Diego this year, going 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA in two starts. He is 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three career meetings with the Padres.

Right-hander Dylan Cease (8-12, 4.55 ERA) will get the start for San Diego on Wednesday.

Cease received a no-decision in his lone appearance against the Cubs this season, when he permitted three runs (two earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on April 14. He is 4-2 with a 2.47 ERA in eight career appearances (all starts) vs. Chicago.

"Dylan's been good, thrown the ball more consistently lately," Padres manager Mike Shildt said. "He's thrown the ball well here. He's thrown the ball well against this club. And he's Dylan Cease. He's got a big arm. He's the guy that we feel is best-suited for Game 2."

San Diego's Jackson Merrill opened the scoring on Tuesday by trotting home on Xander Bogaerts' RBI double in the second inning. He went 4-for-13 (.308) with a homer and two RBIs against the Cubs this season.

"It's a game we've got to win," Merrill said of the Wednesday contest. "That's the easiest way for us to think about it and not read too deep into it."

--Field Level Media