The NLDS matchup between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers might not have gone the distance, but it was still one of the closest series in recent memory. No team ever led by more than two runs, and three of the four games were decided by just one run. Ultimately, the Brewers were the team that advanced, and the Padres were sent home in disappointing fashion.
It is hard to criticize anyone from San Diego, considering just a couple of pitches or at-bats going a different way could have changed this series. For example, Manny Machado was robbed of a home run in Game 4. Even so, a loss is a loss, and the Padres fell short of their lofty expectations yet again. So, who is most to blame for the NLDS loss?
Mason Miller
Mason Miller had a fantastic season. The NL saves leader proved himself as the best reliever in baseball, and he was nearly flawless over the course of 162 games. The closer had a 1.67 ERA, a 3.1 WAR, and a 0.900 WHIP over 70 regular season innings. No athlete is truly perfect, though.
One of Miller's few mistakes came in Game 2 of the NLDS. Miller gave up a game-winning two-run single to Jackson Chourio with two outs in the ninth inning. He gave up three walks, something he hadn't done all season long, beforehand. Miller was given the loss after throwing 40 pitches over two innings. Of course, making a closing pitcher throw for more than just the closing inning isn't the most fair thing, but the team that is so heavily reliant on their bullpen needed their best arm to step up.
Miller would go on to miss Game 3 for the birth of his child, and his return for Game 4 was too little too late. Miller is one of the best players in baseball, and the Padres wouldn't have been close to where they were if it hadn't been for their closer. Unfortunately, what a lot of fans will remember from the Padres this season is Miller's game-losing pitch.
Robbie Ray
Speaking of Miller, there were talks ahead of the MLB trade deadline about whether the Padres would buy or sell, with Miller being a player who was included in trade rumors. Ultimately, the team decided to add talent and go for it. Robbie Ray was the team's big deadline get.
Article Continues BelowThe former Cy Young winner didn't live up to his big-name billing, though. He had a 5.02 ERA with the team during the regular season, and he led all of baseball in walks. He was even worse in the postseason. Ray started Game 1, just to last only 2.2 innings. He was credited with the loss in his lone other appearance of the series, too, a Game 4 relief showing that lasted one inning. Ray's postseason struggles amounted to a 7.36 ERA and proved that, despite a fantastic career, the pitcher is a shell of his former self.
Fernando Tatis Jr.
The NLDS loss wasn't all on the team's top pitchers. San Diego never scored more than four runs in a game in the series, and they had just 10 runs through all four games. The team is known for an explosive offense with loads of superstar talent, but the bats fell short. Most notably, Fernando Tatis Jr. didn't perform at his normal level.
The right fielder went just 2-for-17, which amounted to a .118 batting average. Now, Tatis was one of two players with a homer, and he scored on both of his hits, but there just wasn't enough production from the two-time Silver Slugger. MLB teams need their best players to step up in the postseason, but Tatis fell short in the NLDS.