CHICAGO -- If you're not a white-knuckled partisan of either team -- chair arms firmly and punishingly clenched -- then the ninth inning of NL Wild Card Series Game 3 between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs is what you want out of playoff baseball. In the deciding game of the series, won 3-1 by the host Cubs , the final inning provided intensity and drama worthy of October. It also merits revisiting as the Cubs prepare to duel with the Milwaukee Brewers in the Division Series and the narrowly vanquished Padres begin their offseason.

It began with the Cubs up 3-0 and reliever Brad Keller on the mound for his second frame of work after not appearing in Wednesday's loss. Per basic win expectancy, the Cubs had a 96.8% chance of winning and closing out the series. Even bef

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