Cubs may gain sneaky edge in Game 3 thanks to Mason Miller’s dominance

The San Diego Padres shocked Major League Baseball when they traded for Mason Miller at the MLB trade deadline, and the Chicago Cubs found out firsthand on Wednesday in Game 2 why San Diego made the move a priority. After taking Game 1 against the Padres on Tuesday, the Cubs looked lifeless in Game 2, with a Manny Machado home run silencing the Wrigley Field faithful.

It was a hopeless effort from the Cubs' offense, failing to score a run while striking out 11 times. Dylan Cease was in control to start the game for the Padres, but it was Miller who made the entire Cubs' starting lineup look like they were taking their first at-bats at the Major League level. Miller tossed 1 and 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out 5.

Miller's excellence was highlighted in the seventh inning when he painted the bottom left-hand corner of the strike zone with a 104 mph fastball.

In case you're wondering, Miller made history with that pitch, registering the fastest pitch in the history of Major League Baseball's postseason. There's no other way to put it, Miller was dominant in the Padres' victory over the Cubs.

Mason Miller dominated Game 2 — but here’s how Cubs might love that

The Padres were facing a win-or-go-home situation on Wednesday, and that would be the reason why Miller was allowed to throw 27 pitches. Add in the fact that Miller threw 13 pitches in Game 1, and suddenly, it looks like the Cubs may have gained a hidden advantage in Game 3 on Thursday. After back-to-back appearances, Miller almost certainly won't be available on Thursday.

Never say never, and if the Padres get desperate, perhaps they do turn to Miller in a dire situation, but he likely won't be at the top of the list of available starting pitchers for San Diego tomorrow. Considering how quiet the Cubs' bats have looked through the first two games of the series, the thought of avoiding the flamethrower on Thursday feels like a good lifeline to be thrown. That is, assuming they can get the best of old friend, Yu Darvish.

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