Quote from ultratvfan on September 23, 2026, 6:49 pm

Jason Adam activated.

Canning has to consent, but accepted to be optioned to ACL Padres

Alek Jacob DFA'd.

Quote from ultratvfan on September 23, 2026, 10:41 pm

The Padres beat Yamamoto and the Dodgers!

They are at the top of the wild card all by themselves because both the Cubs and Phillies lost. Unfortunately the Dbacks won.

Magic number is 1. They need to win tomorrow night or the Dbacks lose tomorrow afternoon to clinch a wild card berth.

Pitching was outstanding. Ethan Salas was outstanding behind the plate

Let's win the rubber match. Pivetta on the mound tomorrow night.

GO PADRES!

Quote from fenn68 on September 24, 2026, 4:20 am

Padres bullpen strength played out going 5.2 innings of shutout ball vs a very strong hitting team ... that is good.

However, always concerned about Achilles heals. Ray's performance did little to ease my concerned about the #4 SP in the playoffs (not needed until the second round). Although Ray only yielded one run but only went 3.1 innings with 84 pitches ... giving up 7 hits / 1 walk. Not going to cut it in the 5 and 7 game series. The lack of quality for both Ray and Mize not only gives low odds for the Padres to win their games but may tax the pen hurting other games.

Would expect both Ray and Mize to be left out of the first series (3 games) but not much time for either to establish credibility to get that #4 SP in the second series. Could the Padres consider Vasquez retuning to start ... keep Ray and Mize inactive ... have the "extra" RP? Use a bullpen day as the #4 SP?

Can't really see which option is best at this point ... going to be interesting to see how Stammen / Preller make the call.

Quote from fenn68 on September 24, 2026, 4:49 am

In a similar vein ... how to deal with Sheets (L) and Andjuar (R). At this point they are DH/PH only ... not really a factor for a field position. Both have been taking batting practice (no idea how they look).

Does either get activated either for the AZ series (to get some competitive AB) or wait until the first playoff series or not get activated?

If we assume Song is not on the playoff roster to get down to the 13 player limit, who gets bumped for Sheets and/or Andujar? I would expect one of the catchers (Fermin) to get stronger bat in the mix. If both are added ... the player out may be a toss-up between Hays and Bowen.

Are they ready? Will we see shuffling between each series depending on the opponent's pitching? Again, no clear cut choice(s).

Quote from Jeremy Hill on September 24, 2026, 9:11 am

Quote from fenn68 on September 24, 2026, 4:49 am

In a similar vein ... how to deal with Sheets (L) and Andjuar (R). At this point they are DH/PH only ... not really a factor for a field position. Both have been taking batting practice (no idea how they look).

Does either get activated either for the AZ series (to get some competitive AB) or wait until the first playoff series or not get activated?

If we assume Song is not on the playoff roster to get down to the 13 player limit, who gets bumped for Sheets and/or Andujar? I would expect one of the catchers (Fermin) to get stronger bat in the mix. If both are added ... the player out may be a toss-up between Hays and Bowen.

Are they ready? Will we see shuffling between each series depending on the opponent's pitching? Again, no clear cut choice(s).

There's nothing that says they have to carry 13 position players in the postseason. A lot of teams go unbalanced. I would expect we'll go 14/12 and I wouldn't be shocked to see 15/11 in the wild card round. Song will almost certainly be the first position player dropped. If they have to choose a second it gets more complicated. I would lean towards Bowen, but you could argue in a couple of different directions.

Quote from fenn68 on September 24, 2026, 10:35 am

The flip side argument is if they are going with King, Pivetta, and Buehler as the 3 SP ... the Padres really have not been allowing Pivetta and Buehler to go through the line up a 3rd time and in the playoffs all three are likely to get pulled at the first sign of struggling. Pen is the Padres top asset, so go with 10 RP for the best match-up options and offering different looks in the three games and have some depth if they need the pen for a lot of innings across the three games.

I don't see much juggling (or PH) in the offense ... platoon Harris (L)/Taylor (R) in LF, Sheets (L)/Andujar (R) at DH, and Salas (L)/Campusano (R) at C. Then a 13th man on the bench as needed.

Side: not convinced that Sheets is ready to do much but PH ... and given the time off question timing with his bat. Andujar at least got time in AAA so should be more ready and could stabilize the DH role.

Quote from ultratvfan on September 24, 2026, 5:14 pm

Game 3 Lineup

1. Tatis RF

2. Harris LF

3. Machado 3B

4. France 1B

5. Merrill CF

6. Bogaerts SS

7. Cronenworth 2B

8. Taylor DH

9. Salas C

Pivetta P

Quote from ultratvfan on September 24, 2026, 10:16 pm

The Padres are post season bound.

The Padres beat the Dodgers winning the series and clinching a playoff berth.

Pivetta was outstanding. The RP was solid. The RP Corp is much better with Adam's return replacing Canning.

They remain in the top wild card spot. Tomorrow, if the Padres win and the Cubs lose both games of their DHer to the Red Sox and a Phillies lose to the Rays, the Padres will clinch the top wild card spot and earn their 90th win of the season.

GO PADRES!

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on September 25, 2026, 1:51 am

One win in the last three and the Padres go three straight seasons with 90 or more wins and three consecutive playoff slots. Five playoff slots in the past seven years ... with four different managers (Tingler, Melvin, Shildt, Stammen).

May not agree with all the Preller moves ... but in a results based game he is delivering.

Over the past 3 seasons the Padres have the 5th most wins of all teams in MLB (MIL, LAD, NYY, PHIL are the only teams with more). Extend that to the last 7 years and the Padres are 8th in wins. After decades of suffering ... this may be the golden era of Padres baseball ... enjoy!