The San Diego Padres are headed to the NLDS after finishing off the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in the Wild Card round, and Fernando Tatis Jr. was enjoying the moment. The Padres star spoke with NBC Sports’ John Fanta and delivered one of the night’s funniest exchanges. Asked how many drinks he had already had, Tatis laughed, “I can't remember!”

A conversation and a Bud Light shower with Fernando Tatis Jr.

The San Diego Padres are rolling on to Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/LVyKbvxvIS

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) October 1, 2026

Then came the follow-up: how many more? “Way more! No, no, no, calm down. Drink responsibly. Drink responsibly, you know. We've got to take care of business.”

Tatis quickly made it clear that the Padres' work is not finished after the Wild Card. Still, the mood inside the clubhouse was electric. Champagne flew, players shouted, and Tatis soaked it in.

“Definitely, definitely. This group is special, man. We're coming together as one. And it's beautiful to see the way we're playing baseball right now,” Tatis told Fanta when asked if this was the most fun he had experienced with the team.

That confidence fits Tatis’ postseason resume. He owns the third-highest postseason OPS in MLB history at 1.178 among players with at least 70 plate appearances.

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Fernando Tatis Jr. keeps Padres focused on bigger goal

The Padres were once 50-53, but Tatis said a team-wide conversation changed their direction.

“A lot happened. But man, we had a conversation between us. And we decided it was in us if we really wanted it. The boys were all in. And I feel like results speak volumes.”

Now the Padres move on to the NLDS with another challenge waiting. Tatis is celebrating, but only for the night.

“We're building, we're building. One step at a time, one step at a time. Next challenge is not going to be easy. We're looking forward to it, but we're going to find a way how to play the right baseball.”

San Diego has another round to chase after finishing the Cubs. How much louder can this October party get for the Padres?