Sand Diego Padres Push To The Playoffs

By Steve Atkinson

The San Diego Padres have made the playoffs after a pretty remarkable season. The series with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks this week to close the season will be crucial. The Padres are only 2.5 games back in the NL West. They could be in first place in the division by Friday. Either way, the Padres will make the playoffs either in the division or a wild card spot.

A J. deserves a lot of credit. But our players ultimately get the credit,” Shildt said. “They’re the ones out there executing. But it’s a very complete roster. We’ve been able to demonstrate how to win games in a lot of different ways. We play many close games; we’ve been able to execute and be on top of most of them.”

Jackson Merrill is going to be Rookie of the Year hands down. That kid has done everything right and even comes in clutch when needed. The Padres are so much better in one-run games and extra-inning games. AJ Preller did a great job adding some pitching at the deadline. Martin Perez was a great pickup.

The Padres also got Fernando Tatis back at the right time too. Even Manny Machado who was hurt earlier in the year has come up big recently when it matters the most.

It’s been an amazing year playing in front of these fans,” Manny Machado said. “And we’re gonna continue to play in front of them for the next couple weeks and hopefully the next month and a half.

They’ve also gotten a better locker room presence it seems. Juan Soto wasn’t a great teammate and didn’t want to be in San Diego. Preller traded Soto to the Yankees and the Padres got Michael King who has been great this year for the Padres.

King is 12-4 on the year with 29 strikeouts. He pitches tonight against the Dodgers. He looks to win tonight in a big game against the Dodgers.

Dylan Cease who came over from the White Sox is excited to be a Padre.

It’s as much fun as I’ve ever had playing baseball,” said Cease, who also called the Padres the most well-rounded team he’s ever been on. “I think we’re all feeling optimistic. The resilience of this team has been amazing to watch. It’s just in general very fun to be part of.”

Xander Bogaerts knows what it takes to win when it matters the most. He’s won two championships in 2013 and 2018. He looks to bring San Diego their first one.

The Padres are loaded everyone in the lineup can hit and the pitching has been clutch. The Padres have had the Dodgers number all season when they played against each they should take two out of three and then take care of business against Arizona this weekend.

A TRIPLE PLAY! TO SECURE A SPOT IN THE POSTSEASON! UNREAL! pic.twitter.com/NfbCRgt0Y6

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 25, 2024

The Padres clinched the postseason after the win against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. They look to win the division now with just 2 games back. I don’t think the Dodgers lineup is as deep as the Padres lineup is. The triple play last night was special to have them clinch a playoff spot at Dodger Stadium.

It’s a beautiful, wonderful start,” Shildt said. “You’ve got to get in the playoffs to win it all. It’s just about taking care of business from here on out

The Padres are just getting started the real test begins in October.