The San Diego Padres<\/a> clinched their second straight postseason berth in extras against the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>, 5\u20134, at Petco Park Monday. This is the fourth time the club has been to the playoffs in the last six years.<\/p>\n It was another nail-biter victory for the Friars. Much like last year\u2019s playoff clinching triple play, this time around the historic play came thanks to a walk-off knock from catcher Freddy Fermin<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The Brewers, who currently sit atop the league with 95 total wins, are anything but pushovers. The hard-fought victory from the Padres had to be won in extra innings after the Brewers got off to an early 3\u20131 lead in the second inning. The Padres slowly but surely chipped away at it while pitching held them at bay with seven scoreless frames. Even during the 10th inning, both teams were still tied, leaving Rookie reliever Bradgley Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> <\/strong>to close out the game for his first career win.<\/p>\n This is the fourth time this season the Padres have gone into the 11th inning, and the fifth walk-off win during extras.<\/p>\n Mike Shildt<\/a><\/strong> is the second Padres manager to take the Padres to multiple playoff appearances. The only other manager to do this for the Padres was Bruce Bochy<\/strong><\/a>, who led the Friars to the postseason 4 times during his tenure.<\/p>\n So far, Shildt has led the club to 86 wins this season. Of the remaining five games left, he needs four more to guarantee another 90-win season\u2014the fourth of his career.<\/p>\n Shildt was very congratulatory after the historic game, but remained steadfast. \u201cWe\u2019re still looking to go compete because we still have some unfinished business this season\u2026\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Elaborating on his previous comments, a division title for the Padres is still within reach, with the Padres 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> and five games left. In addition, home-field advantage for the upcoming wildcard series against the Chicago Cubs<\/a> is also very plausible.<\/p>\n To not begin their wildcard series at Wrigley Field, the Cubs would need to stumble with no more than three wins over their final five games, while the Padres must surge with at least three victories in that same stretch to force a deadlock in the Wild Card race.<\/p>\n League rules state that the next factor would be head-to-head results. However, the clubs are 3\u20133 against each other. Therefore, the next tiebreaker would be intra-division record. The Padres hold the lead in this respect, but both teams have three games remaining against teams in their division. A 2\u20131 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> would guarantee a tiebreaker advantage.<\/p>\n Right now, the Padres are 48\u201328 at Petco Park while they\u2019re 38\u201343 on the road. A home-field advantage appears necessary to ensure postseason success for the Friars. Nick Pivetta<\/strong><\/a>, the likely starting pitcher for the Padres’ postseason rotation, is 9\u20131 at Petco and 5\u20134 on the road. Amongst qualified players in the National League, Pivetta is in the Top Five in wins and ERA, and No. 1 in WHIP and opponent average at home.<\/p>\n With the Padres clinching the postseason berth, what remains is far from a straight line. The Padres will play their remaining regular-season games at Petco Park. With two more games to go against the Brew-crew and a final homestand against division rival, the Diamondbacks, the end of the 2025 season will be anything but exciting.<\/p>\nMike Shildt’s Coaching<\/h4>\n
Unfinished Business<\/h4>\n
Five Games Left<\/h4>\n
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