Padres Earn 2nd NL Wild Card Berth in 3 Years

Although the San Diego Padres lost to the Chicago White Sox 2-1 today, the team was nonetheless in a celebratory mood as they clinched their second NL Wild Card berth in the past three seasons after the Milwaukee Brewers fell to the Miami Marlins 4-3 in 12 innings.

During the COVID shortened 2020 season, the Padres made their first post-season appearance in 14 years. However, they would be swept in the NLDS by eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres were widely expected to reach the post-season in 2021, but had an epic collapse in September and early October with a 7-21 record including losing 13 of their final 15 games.

This collapse would prompt the dismissal of manager Jayce Tingler who would be replaced by Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin. Despite not having Fernando Tatis, Jr. in the lineup due to injury, Manny Machado would carry the team. Not leaving anything to chance, the Padres made a blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals for Juan Soto and Josh Bell at the trade deadline and also added Brandon Drury from the Cincinnati Reds. They offset the complete loss of Tatis, Jr. with his subsequent PED suspension. The acquisition of closing Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers turned out to be less successful but the Padres managed to work around it. 

It remains to be seen who the Padres will meet in the NL Wild Card round. They could face either the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets or even the St. Louis Cardinals. All three games would be played on the road but the Padres are as good away from San Diego as they are at Petco Park. 

The Padres could find out their fate tomorrow night. The Atlanta Braves, who have overtaken the New York Mets for top spot in the NL East, have a magic number of 1 to clinch their fifth consecutive NL East title. The Braves will be in Miami to take on the Marlins while the Mets will host the Washington Nationals who have the worst record in MLB and itching to be spoilers. Even if the Mets fall short in winning the NL East they would get the top NL Wild Card seed and play in their first post-season since 2016. 

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies' magic number to clinch the third NL Wild Card berth and their first post-season appearance in 11 years is 1. A win over the Houston Astros or a Brewers loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks tomorrow will do the trick.