The San Diego Padres hit a couple of homers in the opening inning against the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild card series at Petco Park. It was a tough start for Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd in Game 1.
Boyd threw an 83-mph changeup and to get things going Fernando Tatis Jr. smacked a leadoff home run, 405-feet across center field to give the Padres a 1-0 lead.
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But San Diego wasn’t done. Another one of their sluggers stepped up shortly after Tatis.
Manny Machado, whether you love him or hate him, is that dude and a home run threat at the plate. He lived up to that reputation in the bottom first inning taking Boyd’s 81-mph changeup 391 feet for a solo home run.
The Padres led 2-0 after the first inning in Game 1 of the NL wild card series. The winner takes advantage and moves one game closer to advancing to the NL Division Series against face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers.
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
The Philadelphia Phillies line up before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta. The MLB postseason has arrived as the thrills of playoff baseball in the fall has fans ecstatic to watch every moment unfold.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
The Philadelphia Phillies line up before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta. The MLB postseason has arrived as the thrills of playoff baseball in the fall has fans ecstatic to watch every moment unfold.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
A detailed view of Philadelphia Phillies equipment in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Ha-Seong Kim of the Atlanta Braves is introduced before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
A general view before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026 in Atlanta.
(Edward M. Pio Roda, Getty Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is tagged out by Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws out Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Derek Hill (49) in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
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MLB playoffs open with thrilling Wild Card Series matchups
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber breaks his bat in the third inning during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch Padres’ Fernando Tatis and Manny Machado ignite Petco Park with homers
