Jameson Taillon came to Chicago three years ago in hopes of starting meaningful games for the Cubs.
On Thursday, the Cubs are turning to the 33-year-old right-hander for their biggest start of the season. Taillon gets the Game 3 start as the Cubs look to bounce back from Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to the San Diego Padres in the best-of-three National League wild-card series. The winner will advance to play the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series.
The Padres will counter with Yu Darvish, who is 5-5 with a 5.38 ERA this season. Darvish played three seasons for the Cubs before being traded to the Padres after the 2020 season.
This series is one of three in Major League Baseball’s wild-card round to need a decisive Game 3. First pitch will be at 4:08 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
“I love this team and I love this city, I want to come through for these guys in here,” Taillon said after Wednesday’s loss. “This is why I’m here. I love to pitch these types of games and I love everyone in here. I want to go out and be that guy.
“It’s been electric the last couple days. I get more adrenaline just sitting on the sidelines. I get nervous sitting in the dugout. The fans are bringing it and they’ll bring it again (Thursday). When I lay my head down, I’ll envision what that looks like and feels like, that way (Thursday) I’ll be ready for it.”
Taillon comes into Thursday riding a stellar stretch. After missing nearly seven weeks with a calf strain, Taillon posted a 1.57 ERA in six starts in which he surrendered one run or less in five of those outings. He’s been efficient, too, averaging 81 pitches per start during that stretch while pitching at least six innings five times.
“Of course, you wake up knowing it’s going to be a little different, but I’ve always liked being in that situation, showing up with a little urgency and knowing this matters,” Taillon said. “These are definitely moments you dream about and moments you prepare for.”
This marks Taillon’s second postseason start and third appearance. Those previous outings came in 2022 with the New York Yankees. Taillon pitched in the American League Division Series against Cleveland but didn’t retire any of the three hitters he faced and allowed two runs. He didn’t let that carry over into the ensuing AL Championship Series versus Houston, as Taillon tossed 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball.
The Cubs believe this team is built to make a run. They have one game to prove their season shouldn’t end in the first round.
“You guys hear us say it all the time: We’re a super professional group,” Taillon said. “Everyone is going to show up and do their work, do their routines and be ready to go. We say it a lot throughout the season so that we’re ready for these big games and these big moments. You can always fall back on your routines and your processes. This is a very experienced group, a lot of playoff experience. I don’t think we need to go out with the idea of our backs against the wall. Play our game, execute our plan and we’ll be all right.”
