Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon will take the mound Thursday in Game 3 of the wild-card series against the Padres, with elimination at stake.
“You do a lot of work throughout the years and throughout the season to be ready for big moments,” Taillon said after the Cubs’ 3-0 loss Wednesday. “And I’m looking forward to it.”
If the Cubs win, they’ll advance to the National League Division Series against the Brewers. If they lose, their first playoff appearance in five years will fizzle in the first round. On the mound for the Padres will be former Cub Yu Darvish.
Taillon has pitched in the postseason before, making a relief appearance in the ALDS and a start in the NLCS for the Yankees in 2022. But Thursday will mark his first time pitching in an elimination game.
“It’s less about me and just more about these guys,” Taillon said. “I really do love this team and love this city, and I want to come through for these guys in here. This is why I’m here; I’m here to pitch these types of games.”
He made the decision to join the Cubs not long after that postseason run with the Yankees, inking a four-year deal worth $68 million. This is the organization’s first playoff run since.
Taillon’s season (11-7, 3.68 ERA) has been interrupted briefly by two minor lower-body injuries, a strained right calf and strained left groin. But in four starts since returning from the latter, he posted a 1.54 ERA.
“Every start has its own life,” Taillon said. “They don’t care how I’ve been feeling, I have to go out there and execute pitches. But that being said, you obviously want to go in with some momentum and some confidence. So, I feel good about where I’m at, I feel good about the work we’ve done between starts, and I’ll be ready to go.”
In a postseason quirk, he just didn’t know when exactly he’d have to be ready. As the Cubs cleared out of their clubhouse after the game Wednesday evening, their game time for Thursday still had yet to be determined.
Depending on how the other wild-card series played out, it could be as early as 2 p.m. and as late as 6:38 p.m.
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