The San Diego Padres are suddenly looking like a team nobody wants to see in October.
San Diego has surged into the top NL Wild Card spot with four games remaining, and at least one MLB executive believes this run isn't going to end anytime soon. In fact, the anonymous executive told ESPN's Buster Olney that the Padres will finally capture the championship that has eluded the franchise since its inception.
“The Padres are going to win the World Series for the first time in their history, with just about everything trending in the right direction,” the executive told Olney.
The biggest reason for that confidence is San Diego's bullpen.
“Once you get into the postseason with all of the built-in off days, that's going to help their bullpen — which is the best,” the executive added. “The Padres' starting pitching is the team's biggest concern, but as the Dodgers demonstrated in 2024, you can win with three or four functional starters who are backed by a deep bullpen.”
It's becoming increasingly difficult to argue against San Diego as a legitimate World Series threat. The Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 Wednesday night and have won 14 of their last 16 games, moving one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies for the NL's No. 4 seed. Their magic number to clinch a postseason berth is now one.
Article Continues BelowSecuring home-field advantage is the next objective. San Diego doesn't own the tiebreaker against Chicago or Philadelphia, meaning the safest path is simple: keep winning.
The Padres have one more game at Dodger Stadium before returning home for three against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Win all four and the Wild Card Series comes to Petco Park.
Right now, though, the Friars don't look particularly concerned about where — or who — they play.
The Padres are playing like they believe they can beat anybody.