The San Diego Padres don't have a firm decision yet on when pitcher Michael King's next start will be. That will depend on how the next few days go as the MLB playoffs draw near, as the Friars look to lock up a spot in the upcoming 2026 MLB playoffs.
“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,” AJ Cassavell of MLB.com shared on Tuesday via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.
The 31-year-old King is having a solid season on the mound for the Padres, with a 12-9 record, 3.03 ERA and 133 ERA+ over 31 starts.
Article Continues BelowIn his most recent start, he allowed just two earned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in a 9-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on the road last Thursday.
As it stands, the Padres' only way to the playoffs is via the wild card route, with two-time defending World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers already securing the National League West Division title. But San Diego's chances of making it to the postseason party are looking great.
Their 87-69 record through Tuesday is four games inside the current wild-card picture in the NL. The Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies are the other two clubs in position to clinch a wild-card spot in the league, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are 4.5 games off the third and final spot.