San Diego clinches against rivals in 2024 déjà vu, turns to Arizona for final homestand

San Diego secured their spot in the 2026 postseason with a thrilling series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, solidifying their Wild Card berth and maintaining a one-game lead over the Chicago Cubs. Despite facing a no-hitter from Tyler Glasnow in the first five innings, the Friars rallied with two back-to-back singles before Dustin Harris' sac fly drove in the first run.

Nick Pivetta kept the Padres in the lead, pitching out of trouble through four innings before turning it over to the bullpen. The Padres' offense continued to dominate with a three-run seventh inning, culminating in a dominant series win with significant playoff implications. San Diego will now play their final series of the 2026 regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Wild Card seeding on the line.

The Padres need to win every game to secure the top Wild Card spot, while the Diamondbacks are playing their way into the playoffs, two games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona's right-hander, has had a resurgence this season, posting a 3.72 ERA in 2025 and a 2.79 ERA this year across 128 1/3 innings. He has faced the Padres three times, getting the better of them twice.

Casey Mize, San Diego's pitcher, has struggled since joining the team, with a 6.64 ERA this season. He is coming off a rough outing against the Miami Marlins and needs to turn the tables against Arizona to restore trust as a playoff starter. San Diego's offense has been impressive, scoring nine runs in their last two games against the Dodgers.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Dustin Harris, Manny Machado, Ty France, Jackson Merrill, Luis Campusano, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, and Ethan Salas have all contributed significantly, with Salas in particular showing a stellar performance in his last seven games. The relief corps will also be crucial in the upcoming series against Arizona, with Yuki Matsui, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon, Mason Miller, Kyle Hart, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Randy Vásquez all available.