Nick Pivetta allows two over 4 1/3 innings in Game 3

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.

King was brilliant in a victory over the Cubs in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, allowing just one hit over seven innings of scoreless baseball. He’ll be on regular rest for Game 2 on Sunday and would also be lined up to pitch in Game 5 on regular rest if the series goes that long. The expectation is that Nick Pivetta will start Game 3 for the Padres.

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.

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.

Pivetta gave up four hits, walked one and struck out seven before departing. While he wasn’t in line for a win when he left, he could have gotten one had he finished the fifth, since the Padres took a lead in the top of the sixth and didn’t relinquish it. Pivetta has allowed three runs in 18 2/3 innings over four starts since returning from an elbow injury that cost him most of the year. He’s probably in line to start the second or third game of next week’s Wild Card series.

Pivetta allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four to win for the second time in three starts since coming off the IL. He got up to 76 pitches tonight after throwing 63 and 69 in his first two starts back. Things are lined up for him to face the Dodgers next week and then start Game 2 of a potential Wild Card series for the Padres.

Pivetta struck out five and got up to 69 pitches in his second start back from the 60-day IL. It looked like he might have been dealing with a leg issue at the end of the outing, but he grinded it out. Assuming that he’s OK, maybe he’ll have a chance to complete five innings in a home start against the Marlins next weekend.

Pivetta recorded two strikeouts and allowed just two baserunners, requiring an economical 63 pitches (39) strikes to cruise through five frames in his first start back in the majors since April 12. He gave up some loud contact, including six batted balls with exit velocities over 99 mph, but they didn’t come back to burn him. It was completely justifiable to question whether the 33-year-old veteran starter would make any sort of fantasy impact down the home stretch after such a lengthy layoff, but he seems to have answered those concerns with a strong effort right out of the gate. He’s in line for an extremely favorable matchup against the rebuilding Giants to wrap up a two-start week on Sunday.

This was reported on Sunday, so the Padres have now made the roster moves to make it official. Pivetta last appeared on an MLB mound on April 12th, throwing three scoreless innings against the Rockies before leaving with a flexor strain. He did throw 4 1/3 innings in his last rehab outing, but he’s been out for so long that fantasy managers should expect considerable rust in his first few appearances.

Pivetta was very effective in his last rehab start, striking out seven in 4 1/3 scoreless innings for El Paso. In the outing before that, though, he gave up two homers in three innings in A-ball. There’s little doubt he’d be making at least one more rehab start if we were still in June, but since we’re not, it’s worth giving him a try, especially with Vásquez available to throw several innings behind him if necessary. Pivetta seems pretty risky as a fantasy play, and he might not complete five innings and qualify for a win even if he’s effective.