Padres’ wild-card push faces Nationals test in final season meeting
San Diego trails Arizona by half a game for the National League’s final wild-card place ahead of its Petco Park clash with Washington.
The San Diego Padres host the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on Wednesday in the final meeting between the teams this season, with the National League wild-card race adding pressure to the fixture.
San Diego enters the game half a game behind Arizona for the league’s final wild-card place. The Padres and Diamondbacks are scheduled to meet in San Diego from 25 to 27 September, while their season series is currently level at 5–5.
Walker Buehler is scheduled to start for San Diego, with Jackson Kent listed for Washington. The Padres have a 19–9 record in Buehler’s 20 starts, according to CBS Sports, although the figures reflect the source’s publication-time information.
Washington has lost six consecutive games, the source reports. The Nationals also set an MLB record with their 38th blown save in a 5–4 loss after leading 4–1 in the eighth inning.
The game comes as San Diego seeks to remain within reach of Arizona in the standings. The Padres acquired starting pitchers Robbie Ray and Casey Mize at the trade deadline, while Washington’s CJ Abrams and James Wood arrived in the 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego.
