Padres Manager Announces Risky Gamble as Fernando Tatis Jr. & Co. Push All-In On Postseason Bid

The Padres are officially playoff-bound in a rather dramatic fashion, but their October strategy already comes with a risky move. With a Wild Card matchup against the Cubs looming, manager Mike Shildt signaled a surprising gamble, one that could see either Yu Darvish or Dylan Cease bumped from the rotation and moved into the bullpen.

The host on Foul Territory remarked, “You have your choice of Yu Darvish, who is 3-2 with a 2.36 against the Cubs. Dylan Cease is 4-2 with a 2.47 against the Cubs—and he used to be a Cub, so he hates the Cubs, like we all do. So we know that he wants to pitch against the Cubs. But then you have Michael King. So, I mean, you have some options.” The manager then confessed that pushing any of the trusted stars into a long-relief position in a short series is “on the table.”

Shildt made it clear that the Padres are not afraid to shuffle the deck if it gives them an edge. “We haven’t finalized anything, but the math tells you it’s on the table with two games and three guys that we trust,” he said. With Nick Pivetta and Michael King also adapting to the conversation, San Diego faces one of its hardest rotation decisions yet.

That raises the question: can the team really afford to shift veterans like Darvish and Cease after their rollercoaster seasons? The 2 pitchers have seen inconsistency in 2025, and the thought of utilizing one as a bullpen “length guy” is not only risky but also fascinating. The approach provides flexibility, specifically in a do-or-die Game 3; however, it also puts an intense force on whoever stays in the rotation to deliver from the start.

Shildt highlighted that balance will be vital, not just in rotation decisions, but also in keeping the team’s roster healthy. With Xander Bogaerts currently returning and Ramón Laureano and others sidelined, including Fernando Tatis Jr., who missed his third consecutive game Wednesday with an undisclosed illness, the team will not take any unnecessary steps. “We’ll keep them bubble wrapped and get ready to roll for Tuesday,” the manager said, before marking a fine line between rest and power. “We want to keep guys going, keep the momentum… but ultimately we want to make sure we’re healthy and in the best shape we can.” 

Mike Shildt says bumping either Yu Darvish or Dylan Cease to the bullpen for the Wild Card Series is on the table.

“We haven’t finalized anything, but the math tells you it’s on the table with two games and three guys that we trust.” pic.twitter.com/zRd8I8CnHL

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 25, 2025

However, as the Padres debate their pitching chess approaches, the rivalry flames with the Dodgers continue to haunt them, establishing another powerful October showdown.

Padres’ Manny Machado sends Dodgers a message with playoffs looming

Manny Machado could not stop himself from addressing the elephant in the room: a powerful postseason battle with the Dodgers. With Clayton Kershaw ready to retire after the season, Manny Machado highlighted his brief time as Kershaw’s teammate in the Dodgers, acknowledging it as “awesome to have been able to wear the same uniform as him, play behind him … and to hit a couple of homers off of a legend.” The star’s review added a touch of respect to the fieriest rivalry in MLB.

But simply saying, Machado kept the competitive rhythm sharp. “Hopefully our paths cross,” the star said, pointing to an aspiration to face Kershaw and the Dodgers again on the field. It is a fitting reminder of how personal this competitiveness has become for Machado, specifically after last season’s fireworks when the Padres’ star famously hurled a baseball into the Dodgers’ dugout during the playoffs. With the two teams neck-and-neck in the NL West, October could provide another lesson in this rivalry that is still on fire.

The Padres are ready to set foot in October with bold choices to make and competitiveness to embrace. Mike Shildt’s pitching gamble could describe their Wild Card push, while Manny Machado’s words keep the Dodgers exactly in their sights. One thing is obvious: San Diego would not shy away from risk or intensity. Now, it is time to see if those decisions change into October magic or not. Stay tuned, because this postseason sprint promises drama at every point.

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