Michael King tabbed for Game 2 of NLDS for Padres

The 31-year-old right-hander stated, “San Diego’s been—been incredible for me, and it’s all the way across the country from home... But now I feel like I have a—a second home on the West Coast, so it’s been awesome. And yeah, I hope to—hope to continue.” King holds a $28 million player option ($5 million buyout) for the 2027 season. He’s almost certain to opt out of that and land a multi-year deal with a much higher AAV. While the Padres will almost assuredly love to bring him back, there’s going to be plenty of competition for his services on the open market and they’ll need to ante up in order to put themselves in the mix.

There’s no tomorrow if San Diego doesn’t win tonight. It’ll be another all-hands situation for the Padres after King went two innings to pick up a save in a must-win Game 3 to extend the best-of-five series while Mason Miller was away on paternity leave. The 31-year-old probably won’t be asked to get more than a handful of outs, but he could be a break-glass option if the Padres get in trouble in the middle innings.

With no Mason Miller and still no Adrian Morejon, the Padres were limited in options for the final few frames, and they turned to their Game 1 starter. The right-hander issued a pair of walks in the bottom of the ninth with one out, but a terrific play by Xander Bogaerts turned into a double play, and the Padres stay alive for at least one more game. Game 4 will take place in San Diego on Wednesday, and while King won’t be available for that game — one would think, anyway — he should be a multi-inning option for Game 5, should it come.

Pivetta allowed five hits, and one of them was a homer from William Contreras. The veteran right-hander was able to strike out five four without issuing a walk in a solid — if unspectacular — start that helps the Padres stay alive for at least one more day. Pivetta won’t be available for Game 4 come Wednesday, but likely could give San Diego an inning or two in Game 5 come Friday, if necessary.

It’ll be an all-hands situation for San Diego as they attempt to avoid elimination at the hands of the Brewers in Game 3 on Tuesday evening. King would presumably start Game 4 if he doesn’t wind up pitching in a must-win situation.

Oddly enough, both King and Logan Henderson were pulled after hitting the leadoff batter in the bottom of the sixth today. King had a 2-1 lead at that point, and Yuki Matsui came in and retired three in a row to strand the runner. King has allowed one run and four hits through 12 innings so far this postseason. He’ll almost certainly get the nod again in Game 5 if the NLDS goes the distance.

That had been the expectation all along with Robbie Ray and Michael King working in the first two games, but it’s now official. Depending on the outcome of Sunday’s game, it’s possible that Pivetta could be pitching for the Padres’ postseason life when he takes the mound against the Brewers on Tuesday evening in San Diego.

Pivetta and Kevin Gausman both got 10 outs, but Pivetta allowed two fewer runs, mostly because of the bullpen support; Gausman’s one runner left on base came around to score after Daniel Palencia entered the game, but Bradgley Rodríguez stranded both runners he inherited. Pivetta figures to start again in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers.

King didn’t allow a hit until the seventh when Nico Hoerner hit an infield single off the right-hander with one out in the inning. He did walk three, but the right-hander was never really challenged with just seven balls registering as hard hit, eight strikeouts and 17 swings-and-misses generated. The Padres are now a win away from facing the Brewers in the NLDS, and if they advance, King will likely start Game 2 of that series come Sunday.

Pivetta looked sharp in four late-season starts, posting a sparkling 1.45 ERA across 18 2/3 innings, after missing nearly five months with a flexor strain in his elbow. The 33-year-old veteran allowed two runs over five innings against the Cubs last postseason. This will be his third career playoff start.