Padres clinch 2025 postseason berth

SAN DIEGO — In the home clubhouse at Petco Park, they set up sheets of plastic around the lockers, then wheeled in the tubs of beer and champagne. There was a speech from the manager, then screaming and laughing and liquids flying around the room from all angles. They took pictures together and sang and hugged. When it was done, they spilled onto the field to revel in the moment with their families.

Itâ€s one thing to get here; moments like this one have been rare for most of the Padres†history. Itâ€s another thing to make it a habit.

But here they are again. The Padres are going to the playoffs. Back to the playoffs.

With their dramatic 5-4 victory over the Brewers in 11 innings on Monday night at Petco Park, San Diego punched its ticket to the postseason for a second straight year. Thatâ€s no small achievement. It marks the first time the Padres have put together back-to-back playoff appearances since 2005-06.

“Itâ€s pretty special,†said star third baseman Manny Machado. “Hell yeah, itâ€s special.â€

Said manager Mike Shildt: “We’re in — I think right in the beginning of — the best era of Padres baseball.â€

If anything, this season only solidifies it. The Padres have reached the postseason for the fourth time in six years. Theyâ€ve spent more than half a decade as perennial contenders. Theyâ€ve entrenched themselves as one of the National Leagueâ€s heavyweights.

Now, for that elusive next step. The Padres are eyeing the first World Series in franchise history, and Step 1 is complete.

“We feel like we have a team that can win the whole thing,†said general manager A.J. Preller. “It starts by getting in. Thatâ€s the first part.â€

With the roster Preller constructed — then reinforced at the Trade Deadline — the Padres certainly like their chances. If anything, Mondayâ€s clincher served only to reinforce the importance of the moves Preller made at the Deadline.

It was newcomer Freddy Fermin who laced a walk-off single in the 11th — the first time in franchise history the Padres clinched their playoff spot with a walk-off. Collectively, they spilled out of the home dugout to mob Fermin just beyond the infield dirt. Another sellout crowd at Petco Park erupted.

“That moment — thatâ€s special,†Fermin said afterward in the clubhouse, in between dousings from Luis Arraez, then Adrian Morejon. “I put the swing [that] put my team in the postseason.â€

Ferminâ€s arrival, of course, came on a frenzied Deadline day that saw Preller swing six trades involving 22 players. Those moves seemed to address practically all of the teamâ€s flaws.

The lineup grew significantly deeper with the additions of Fermin, Ramón Laureano and Ryan Oâ€Hearn. An already excellent relief corps became one of the most fearsome in recent memory with the addition of Mason Miller. Itâ€s the type of bullpen that wins in October.

Thatâ€s where the Padres are headed. Thereâ€s still a chance they could host a Wild Card Series, if they can reel in either the Dodgers or the Cubs over the next six days. They trail both by 2 1/2 games (and would win a tiebreaker over the Cubs but have already lost their tiebreaker with the Dodgers).

Wherever that series is played, it sounds like the Padres already know whoâ€s going to take the ball. On Monday, Nick Pivetta completed one of the most impressive debut seasons in Padres history. He wasnâ€t at his sharpest, allowing three second-inning runs, but he kept the Padres in the game from there and worked 5 2/3 solid frames.

“Nick was a warrior tonight,†Shildt said. “And heâ€ll be set up for, most likely, Game 1.â€

Presuming thatâ€s all for Pivetta this (regular) season, he finished with a 2.87 ERA across 31 starts with 190 strikeouts to just 50 walks. He has been a steadying presence in a rotation that has been in flux seemingly all summer. Pivetta would have a weekâ€s worth of rest before he takes the ball next.

“This is just the beginning step,†Pivetta said. “This is a great thing. We accomplished some great stuff. … But we have a lot of work in front of us.â€

Still, Monday offered a chance for the Padres to pause and celebrate what theyâ€ve accomplished thus far. Itâ€s only the ninth trip to the postseason in their 57-season history. After a disappointing exit in 2024, they earned their way back.

The pitching staff dealt with injuries to Michael King, Yu Darvish and Jason Adam. Their lineup was hit with its share of attrition, too. Heck, Fernando Tatis Jr. wasnâ€t even there to celebrate, as he battles an illness that might keep him out of the lineup for another day or two. (Machado FaceTimed Tatis into the celebration.)

“It has not been a straight line,†Shildt said. “Itâ€s been grindy. But that makes it even more special.â€

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