Machado Punishes Imanaga: Clutch HR Defines Padres' Victory Over Cubs

CHICAGO – Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell defended his decision to keep left-hander Shota Imanaga on the mound to face right-handed Manny Machado in the fifth inning of the second game of the National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. Machado connected on a splitter on the first pitch, resulting in a two-run homer, extending the Padres’ lead to 3-0, the final score of the game. The decisive game number 3 will take place at Wrigley Field on Thursday.

The results suggest we should have done something different. Really, just trust in Shota, plain and simple. I thought he was throwing well. I thought he was throwing very well and, unfortunately, he made a mistake.
Craig Counsell

The decision was made after Fernando Tatis Jr. received a walk and advanced to second base following a sacrifice bunt by Luis Arraez, which resulted in a free base. Counsell mentioned that he intentionally considered walking Machado, but ultimately opted for Imanaga to pitch to him.

Walking Machado wasn’t on my mind. That splitter was meant to be down in the zone.
Shota Imanaga

Machado Punishes Imanaga: Clutch HR Defines Padres' Victory Over Cubs — El mánager de los Cachorros, Craig Counsell, dijo que consideró caminar a Manny Machado con una base libre, pero decidió que Shota Imanaga le lanzara. “Pensé que estaba lanzando muy bien y, desafortunadamente, cometió un error”, dijo Counsell.

Counsell had right-hander Mike Soroka ready in the bullpen, but decided not to use him. This was a curious decision, considering the Cubs used a starter in Game 2, looking for Imanaga to avoid facing Tatis and Machado in the first inning. Machado, when asked if he was surprised to face Imanaga in that situation, replied: “I don’t put on my manager’s hat. It was 0-6 at that moment. So I wasn’t thinking about that. For me, I was just thinking about trying to get to Imanaga.” The Padres manager, Mike Shildt, commented: “I have my hands full with my own team. I can’t be thinking about anyone else’s strategy.” The Game 3 will be played on Thursday, where the winner takes it all. The Padres will have Yu Darvish, while Jameson Taillon will be the Cubs’ starter.

I’m excited. As Game 2 went on, I started getting excited for tomorrow. You do a lot of work during the season for the big moments. I’m looking forward to it.
Jameson Taillon