Padres fall to Diamondbacks, fail in first try at securing home playoff series
San Diego Union-Tribune • • sports
Key Points:
- The Padres lost 11-4 to the Diamondbacks despite having clinched a playoff spot the previous night, with Arizona scoring multiple early runs and Casey Mize struggling as the starting pitcher.
- Mize, dealing with a groin injury and a sprained ankle, is expected to be removed from the Padres' postseason roster, likely placed on the injured list due to his decreased effectiveness and mobility issues.
- The Padres have yet to secure the No. 4 seed in the National League playoffs, which would grant them home-field advantage in the wild-card series, but can still clinch it with one more win or a loss by the Cubs or Phillies.
- The Padres' playoff rotation is set with Michael King starting Game 1, followed by Nick Pivetta and Walker Buehler, while Robbie Ray is expected to start if the team advances to the NL Division Series.
- Despite the loss, the Padres have surged in recent weeks, improving their standing significantly over the Cubs and Phillies, but must now balance resting players with maintaining momentum to secure homefield advantage.
