Craig Stammen has plenty to sort through before the Padres open the Wild Card Series against the Cubs on Tuesday, and the biggest question sits right where October games are often decided: on the mound.
San Diego finished 91-71 and earned the No. 4 seed in the National League playoffs after Stammen, in his first year as manager, guided a remarkable turnaround. Now the Padres are set to host Chicago in a best-of-three series, and the roster choices around the pitching staff loom large.
The Padres closed the regular season by knocking the Arizona Diamondbacks out of the playoff race with a 9-4 win, though Philadelphia’s victory earlier in the day had already officially eliminated Arizona from NL contention.
The starting picture points to four arms being carried for a three-game series: Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray and Walker Buehler.
King is lined up for Game 1, while the other three give San Diego flexibility as the series unfolds. Pivetta has looked sharp since returning from the injured list, but he has not worked more than five innings in any outing this season.
Ray has been uneven, yet he could get the ball in Game 3. Buehler, who threw fewer than four innings on Saturday, appears positioned to be available by Game 2 or Game 3 if needed.
There is even a case for trusting Buehler more than Ray in a Game 3 spot. Buehler has 14 postseason appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and if the bullpen gets stretched, he could be asked to cover multiple innings if Ray starts.
The relief group gives Stammen a deep mix to choose from: Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, Bradgley Rodriguez, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta, Yuki Matsui, Randy Vasquez and Griffin Canning.
Canning and Vasquez both pitched on Sunday, but they could still be ready by Game 2 if the Padres need them. Both are capable of soaking up innings, which matters in a short series where every out counts.
That depth may be especially useful with Adam coming off the injured list, and with Peralta and Matsui described as risky options.
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