Padres Clinch Postseason After Historic 9-Game Streak—Can San Diego Go All the Way?

The San Diego Padres punched their ticket to the National League Division Series on Tuesday night, completing a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 4-1 clincher at a raucous Petco Park. Fernando Tatis Jr. ignited the offense yet again, following his historic leadoff homer in Game 1 with two hits, two stolen bases and a run scored, showcasing the dynamic form that made him an MVP finalist earlier this season. While the bats stayed hot, the pitching was even hotter. Michael King, whose September surge earned him the Game 1 nod, flirted with history by carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh before handing the ball to a bullpen that has morphed into a postseason weapon. Joe Musgrove’s emotional first appearance since 2024 in Monday’s opener further galvanized a staff suddenly teeming with confidence heading into the NLDS. The sweep sets up a best-of-five showdown with the National League-best Milwaukee Brewers, beginning Thursday at American Family Field. Manager Bob Melvin confirmed that veteran right-hander Yu Darvish will start Game 1, followed by King on regular rest. The club also expects 20-year-old catching prodigy Ethan Salas to remain on the roster; if he appears, he will become the youngest catcher ever to play in a postseason game, adding another layer of intrigue to an already electric October run. Key storylines to watch: • Machado’s Moment: Manny Machado’s pair of first-inning homers in the Wild Card set the tone for the series; he owns a career .956 OPS against Milwaukee pitching this year. • Petco Park Advantage: Should the series reach Games 3-4, San Diego will return to a home crowd that averaged 44,300 fans in September and has now witnessed back-to-back playoff clinchers. • Bullpen Depth: Closer Mason Miller’s triple-digit heat and Craig Stammen’s postseason poise give the Padres multiple high-leverage options, a must against a Brewers lineup fueled by speed and situational hitting. With a balanced lineup, resurgent rotation and stars performing under the brightest lights, the Padres are suddenly one of October’s most dangerous wild cards. A franchise built “for October,” as the clubhouse T-shirts proclaim, now looks ready to make its deepest run since 1998—starting Thursday night in Milwaukee.