The San Diego Padres got one inch closer to clinching a playoff berth, and it started with their recent win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a Manny Machado home run that set the tone for the team, and they carried that momentum throughout the game. Machado knows what's at stake for the Padres with just a few games left, and it was big that they got a win against one of the best teams in the league.

“At the end of the day, we’ve got to take care of our business. We’ve got to win big ballgames,” Machado said via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

If the Padres get another win, or if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose, they're in the playoffs for the third straight season. The better news is that they'd probably be starting the playoffs at home, giving them an early advantage against their opponents.

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The Padres are already considering what they'll do in the playoffs when it comes to their rotation, and that includes when Michael King's next start will be. As of now, it all depends on when the Padres clinch their playoff spot, according to Cassavell.

“Craig Stammen says Michael King would only start the regular-season finale if it’s decisive for making the playoffs. King wouldn’t start that game if the Padres have clinched but still have a shot at home-field advantage. He’d be pushed to start Wild Card Series Game 1,” Cassavell wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

This is why it may be best for the Padres to handle business soon, and King may be able to get the rest he needs before the playoffs begin.