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Can Padres Rally Against Brewers?
6 Oct
Summary
- Padres trail Milwaukee 0-2 in NLDS.
- Team overcame similar deficit in July.
- Key factors: home crowd, clutch hitting, pitching.
The San Diego Padres are facing a significant challenge in the National League Division Series, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers two games to none. Despite doubts from figures like David Ortiz, the Padres draw confidence from their season-long ability to overcome adversity, notably a late July surge that saw them rise from below .500 to clinch the No. 4 seed.
To stage a comeback, the Padres will rely heavily on their strong home-field advantage at Petco Park, where they posted a 51-30 record during the regular season. Historically, teams down 0-2 on the road in a best-of-five series have a slim chance of recovery. Crucial to their hopes will be improving their clutch hitting; they stranded 20 runners and went 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position in the first two games.
A significant factor will be a strong outing from Game 3 starter Nick Pivetta, who has been effective since his September return from injury. The team aims for him to provide length, potentially preserving a rested bullpen for crucial upcoming innings. The Padres are also considering unconventional strategies, such as utilizing Michael King out of the bullpen in Games 3 and 4, to maximize their chances of forcing a return trip to Milwaukee.
