Mason Miller needed just 12 batters to accomplish something no pitcher in postseason history had done.

The San Diego Padres closer recorded his 10th career playoff strikeout Wednesday (All Cubs hitters), setting a record for the fewest batters faced to reach that total, according to Sarah Langs.

Mason Miller recorded his 10th career postseason strikeout against just the 12th batter he’s faced

That’s the fewest batters faced to reach 10 career strikeouts in postseason history

h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/qxfBR8hmPi

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 1, 2026

That is a great introduction to postseason baseball. Miller has made hitters look overmatched from his first playoff appearance, and his latest performance helped San Diego finish off the Chicago Cubs and advance to the NLDS.

Miller struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to secure the Padres’ 4-1 victory and complete the Wild Card Series sweep. He finished the outing with 10 strikeouts against 13 career postseason batters faced, having reached the milestone one hitter earlier.

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Chicago managed its only extra-base hit of the series against Miller, but the double did not produce a run. He threw 19 pitches, including 13 strikes, to collect his first career postseason save and send Petco Park into another celebration. The outing reinforced why Miller gives San Diego such an advantage late in games. Even when an opponent puts a runner in scoring position, his ability to generate strikeouts provides a way out without allowing the ball into play.

He also anchors a bullpen with considerable depth. Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Yuki Matsui give manager Craig Stammen multiple options to protect a lead, even with Jeremiah Estrada unavailable.

That makes the assignment clear for San Diego’s starters and hitters heading into Milwaukee: Give the bullpen an advantage to defend. There are no guarantees against the Brewers, but the Padres have plenty of reason to trust their late-inning arms.

And at the end of that group stands a closer who needed only 12 postseason hitters to make history.