There’s arguably no San Diego Padre who needed a breakout more than Xander Bogaerts. The veteran shortstop has massively underwhelmed since being signed to a long-term contract ahead of the 2023 season. In his last 15 games, Bogaerts owns a .302/.403/.453 slash line. That production has been buoyed by his last seven games, where his slash line improves to .357/.419/.643 with a 1.062 OPS.
The Padres’ offense has surged after scoring just three runs in Game 2. They scored nine in the series finale to
take the four-game set versus the Colorado Rockies. That has moved the Friars to a four-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the final NL Wild Card spot. They’ll now return to Petco Park for their penultimate homestand versus the Miami Marlins.
Taking the mound
Tyler Phillips (MIA) v. Nick Pivetta (SD)
Phillips has looked quite good since being converted to a starter this season. He was highly effective out of the bullpen in 2025 (2.78 ERA), and owns a 3.55 ERA between both relief and starting appearances. Phillips has been solid, though not particularly great over his last few starts. He’s surrendered five runs in his last 8 2/3 innings.
With most of his short career being spent in the bullpen, Phillips hasn’t faced the Padres much. Of those who have faced him (nine at-bats), none have reached base. The Friars will seek to turn that around in their series opener versus Miami tonight.
It’s impossible to overstate just how good Pivetta has been since returning from the IL. In two starts since returning, the right-hander owns a 2.00 ERA through nine innings pitched. That’s dropped his ERA this season to a solid 3.60 mark.
How Pivetta continues to pitch down the stretch could very well determine the Friars’ postseason rotation. The club has a wealth of arms to choose from in a playoff rotation. Pivetta seems likely to make the roster, but that could change in the coming weeks if his arm proves volatile.
Batter up!
The Padres’ lineup, apart from a minor blip on Tuesday, has been mashing lately. They’ve scored an average of 6.6 runs per game in their last 10 games and a ridiculous 7.0 runs per game in their last seven. If San Diego’s offense continues to rake, they’ll have no problem ending Miami’s dwindling postseason hopes.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Dustin Harris, LF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Ty France, 1B
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Austin Hays, DH
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
- Freddy Fermin, C
Bogaerts falling just short of hitting for the cycle overshadowed some other fantastic performances in the Padres’ series finale. Harris and France continued their hot streaks, going a combined 6-for-9 with five RBI. Every player in San Diego’s starting lineup recorded a hit except for Machado (and he still recorded an RBI).
Relief corps
Michael King continues to dazzle on the mound. The starter went six innings, surrendering two runs to the Rockies in the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Only Yuki Matsui and Griffin Canning were used to record the final nine outs. That gives the Padres options for their series against Miami.
Kyle Hart, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta, Bradgley Rodriguez and Randy Vásquez will be available out of the ‘pen for San Diego. If Pivetta stumbles early, Vásquez will likely be called upon to cover some of the middle innings.
