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Padres Clinch Wild Card, Set to Face Cubs at Petco Park
27 Sep
Summary
- Padres secured a postseason berth with a 10-7 victory over the Diamondbacks.
- Manny Machado hit his 30th home run of the season, a decisive three-run blast.
- The Padres will host the Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.
The San Diego Padres have secured a playoff berth, marking their third consecutive season with 90 or more wins. Their 10-7 victory over the Diamondbacks on Saturday officially clinched their spot and home-field advantage for the National League Wild Card Series.
Key to their victory was Manny Machado’s 30th home run of the season, a crucial three-run blast in the fourth inning that gave the Padres a lead they would not relinquish. This milestone marks Machado's fourth 30-homer season with San Diego, tying him with Adrián González for the club record.
The decisive win sets up a Wild Card Series showdown against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday. The Padres' bullpen demonstrated its importance, with manager Craig Stammen utilizing it early, though a rare rough outing by Mason Miller occurred late in the game.
Questions remain about the playoff rotation, particularly regarding Walker Buehler's role. Despite a solid season, Buehler's recent performance was not sharp. Potential Game 3 decisions could involve Buehler and Robbie Ray, with Ray having a history of success against the Cubs.
