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2026 Padre Season
#431 · September 25, 2026, 7:38 am
Post All-Star game the Padres are tied with MILW for the best record in MLB.
That opens the discussion on why would you change the player mix for the playoffs? Stay with he players that got you here.
Offense why add Andujar who has not played much, limited defense ... when winning with Hays as the RHH vs LHP and hitting better than average. Why add Sheets who has limited play, limited defense and when he played post All-Star before the IL was one of the worst hitters on the team vs RHP and LHP.
Pitching only needs 3 SP in round one then 4 SP ...given how poorly Mize and Ray have been starting (and they have no history out of the pen) could sit both for the whole post season. Stick with the strong pitching from RP depth. When the 4th SP slot come up ... use Vasquez who pitched better than Mize and Ray and/or use a bullpen day.
Side: clearly King will be lagged to the playoff opener ... so will Ray come back for Sunday or a bullpen day to keep the arms in the pens sharp with Monday an off day? Maybe a combo?
#432 · September 25, 2026, 7:41 am
Agree. It was critical for the entire pitching staff to have veteran SPs you could plug in for 4-5 innings even if the results were not what you expected. It allowed the bullpen to return to their normal roles and, of course, the return of Pivetta in the closing weeks was unexpected and solidifying Don't expect either Mize or Ray to be with the team next year, but Pivetta surely will and, after what I saw with King in his interview with Mud, I think we have a much greater than 50% chance to retain King for 2027 and beyond
Let's capture that home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs! GO PADRES!!!
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#433 · September 25, 2026, 9:26 am
Sheets and Andujar are both reportedly ready to go. I think Sheets replaces Song today. I agree that the way Hays has played makes Andujar's activation a lot less certain. I think it comes down to whether they think Bowen's speed and defense or Andujar's bat are more valuable off the bench.
#434 · September 25, 2026, 10:41 am
It should be interesting to see how the Padres handle the next three games. The most important piece is complete ... they are in the playoffs. Now I would love to see them battle to gain that home field advantage but some comments from Stammen suggest that he may try to win but balance that with setting to the team for the playoffs.
That may impact how they use (or don't use) the pen ... keep arms sharp / set up proper rest. Maybe for the position player veterans that have played almost every game over the past couple of months ... a day off while give some extra AB to the bench. Especially Sunday could be an unusual line-up.
To that end, might keep Song for the weekend to give Machado, Bogaerts, and Cronenworth each a day off. Maybe Bowen gets a start in CF ... Hays in RF.
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