Cubs get reality check from Dansby Swanson ahead of Game 3 showdown

A questionable decision from Craig Counsell backfired badly and the Chicago Cubs' offense has largely looked anemic apart from back-to-back home runs in Game 1. Now, the season comes down to a do-or-die Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday against the San Diego Padres.

"Gotta continue to play defense, continue to make good pitches and be opportunistic in the moments you do get ... it's about being opportunistic and not missing pitches when you get them."

Cubs' struggling offense has to step up with the season on the line

Missing pitches is something the Cubs have done plenty of in the first two games of this series. Chicago has punched out a staggering 24 times - tied with the Detroit Tigers for the most of any team in the Wild Card Round. To make matters worse, they've drawn just two walks, which is the least of any club.

The team's biggest stars - with the exception of Seiya Suzuki - have disappeared at the worst possible time and the Cubs have mustered all of three runs in the first two games of the series. Pete Crow-Armstrong is 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. Ian Happ is 0-for-8 with five punchouts. Kyle Tucker is just 1-for-7. The team needs more timely hitting up and down the lineup, especially from its big names.

Counsell is turning to veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon, who will be opposed by former Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish. Taillon has been dominant at home this year (3.05 ERA, 10 GS) and Darvish has struggled since coming off the IL and getting a late start to the season in July (5.38 ERA, 15 GS).

“Every start has its own life. They don’t care how I’ve been feeling,” Taillon said. “I have to execute pitches. With that said, you want to go in with momentum and confidence. I feel good where I’m at. I feel good about the work we’ve done in between starts and I’ll be ready to go.”

It'll be all hands on deck and all eyes on Counsell to see whether he shakes up his struggling lineup ahead of Game 3. But Swanson hit it on the head: the be successful in October, you have to deliver in big spots and make the plays on both sides of the ball. At least at the plate, the Cubs have failed to do so far too often this week. That has to change on Thursday - it's as simple as that.