For the first time in franchise history, the Padres have reached the postseason in three straight years. They’re making September clinch celebrations a habit.
As with any postseason clinch, a number of questions follow about the days and weeks ahead. Here’s what you need to know:
Who makes the postseason roster?
Some critical questions loom. Namely: Would the Padres continue to carry three catchers in the postseason? If not, would top prospect Ethan Salas be one of the two they keep? Plus, what’s the status of Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar moving forward? Here’s an early guess at the Padres’ Wild Card Series roster:
C (3): Luis Campusano, Freddy Fermin, Ethan Salas
IF (5): Ty France, Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Gavin Sheets
OF (6): Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Dustin Harris, Samad Taylor, Austin Hays, Jase Bowen
SP (4): Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray
RP (8): Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, Bradgley Rodriguez, Yuki Matsui, Kyle Hart, Randy Vásquez, David Morgan
When does the postseason begin?
The Padres will play a Wild Card Series next week:
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29
Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 30
Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 1
The full schedule, with game times will be released at a later date. If the Padres advance to the NL Division Series, that would begin Saturday, Oct. 3, on the road.
Who will the Padres play -- and where?
That’ll be determined over the next few days, but the most notable storyline for the Padres in the final week is whether they’ll be able to host a Wild Card Series. They can do that by finishing as the National League’s top Wild Card.
As things stand, they have three possible first-round opponents: The Cubs, Phillies and Braves.
If San Diego finishes as the No. 4 or 5 seed in the NL, the Cubs and Phillies are potential opponents. And, again, that No. 4 seed comes with home-field advantage (a worthwhile goal for a team that has gone 49-29 at Petco Park this season).
If the Padres finish as the final Wild Card and the No. 6 seed overall in the National League, they would travel to Atlanta to face the Braves.
What is the playoff rotation?
The Padres adjusted their rotation so King could take the ball on the final day of the season if that game against Arizona proved decisive. Now that they’ve clinched, King will presumably be bumped to Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
Who follows him? Ray and Casey Mize were the prize acquisitions of the Padres’ Trade Deadline, but Pivetta has been sharp since returning from the IL after five months on the sideline with a flexor strain. Buehler, meanwhile, seems to have regained both his stuff and his swagger, and has been excellent down the stretch.
So, King for Game 1, then probably Pivetta and Buehler (in some order), with a heavy reliance on what’s been the best bullpen in baseball this season.
What health concerns are there?
Somewhat miraculously, as the season winds down, the Padres’ rotation actually seems to be in the best shape it’s been in all season. It seems unlikely Joe Musgrove would join the mix. Lucas Giolito isn’t really an option either, but it’s unlikely he’d have cracked the rotation anyway. Pivetta looks healthy and sharp, and Mize and Ray are on board.
In the bullpen, Jeremiah Estrada is doubtful for at least the early rounds of the playoffs as he deals with a shoulder impingement. But Jason Adam has returned from a shoulder issue of his own (though his workload could be limited).
Meanwhile, on offense, Sheets (left foot sprain) and Andujar (right wrist fracture) seem to be approaching a return. Both are getting regular at-bats at the team’s complex in Peoria, Ariz.