Padres can close Cubs revenge loop behind Nick Pivetta in Game 2

Nick Pivetta already gave the Padres one worthy postseason start against the Cubs. That was last season. What’s even more unfortunate is that he never had the chance to finish them. One year ago, Pivetta carved through Chicago for nine strikeouts without issuing a walk in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. He allowed three hits across five innings. Two of them left the yard on consecutive pitches to Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly, turning an otherwise excellent afternoon into a 3-1 Padres loss.

That outing became part of the rubble after Chicago eliminated San Diego two days later. Pivetta hardly deserved to carry the blame. The Padres scored five runs across the entire three-game series. It’s difficult for any pitcher to drag that little offense into the NLDS by himself.

Pivetta started the first loss, and the Cubs eventually ended San Diego’s season. Now he gets a second chance. The Padres opened this year’s rematch by hammering Chicago 8-0 behind seven dominant innings from Michael King. That puts Pivetta on the Petco Park mound for Game 2 with a chance to eliminate the team that sent them packing last October. It’s about as clean as a redemption story gets.

Nick Pivetta fought his way back for this exact assignment

This moment felt unlikely about five months ago. A right elbow flexor strain interrupted his season in April and kept him out until September. The Padres spent most of the summer wondering whether one of their most dependable starters would contribute again at all this season. Pivetta eventually returned and finished the regular season with a 3-2 record, a 2.86 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings. It was a small workload, but it was rather convincing.

We don’t need to expect Pivetta to copy King’s masterpiece yesterday, though it would be nice. Five or six sharp innings would give the Padres exactly what they need. However, the bullpen is still fresh, and all Pivetta needs to do is keep the Cubs at bay. 

The Padres need to treat Game 2 like the closeout opportunity it is

An 8-0 win can make a team feel invincible for a night. However, all of that momentum can disappear quickly the following night. Kevin Gausman will take the ball for Chicago with the Cubs’ season on the line. The Padres responsibility extends far beyond Pivetta. The offence has a chance to reverse every part of last year's picture.

There is another reward waiting beyond the obvious one. Closing the series in two games would spare the Padres from exposing their Game 3 pitching decision and give them extra time to arrange the rotation for the Milwaukee Brewers. Every inning saved now matters in the NLDS.

Last October, Pivetta walked off the mound at Wrigley after two swings spoiled a terrific start. This time, they’re hosting the Cubs in a raucous Petco Park against a Cubs team they’ve been staring at since last year.

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