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Padres Reliever King Saves NLDS Game 3
Confirmed
In Short: Padres reliever Michael King stepped up to secure a 4-3 victory in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers.
Padres reliever Michael King came out of the bullpen to secure a 4-3 victory in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
King's performance was crucial after the Padres' star closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity list, leaving the team without its top bullpen weapon.
King, a former reliever with the New York Yankees, pitched the final two innings, getting a game-ending double play after putting two runners on base in the top of the ninth.
The Padres' setup man Adrian Morejon also faced issues, coming out of a Monday catch session with a stiff left shoulder.
Jake Cronenworth hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, putting the Padres ahead with a 3-2 lead.
King's declaration to teammates and coaches that he would be available out of the bullpen over the next two games proved pivotal.
Padres manager Craig Stammen noted that Morejon was dealing with 'a little stickiness in the shoulder,' and the team was hoping he would be available for Game 4.
The Padres are now seeking their first trip to the NL Championship Series since 2022, with Walker Buehler set to start Game 4.
Buehler missed Games 1 and 2 of the series after being placed on the paternity list.
Buehler boasts a career 3.04 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in the playoffs, while totaling 114 strikeouts over 94 ⅔ innings pitched.
Over said outings, Buehler recorded a 4.63 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and an 88 ERA+, while totaling 131 strikeouts and 0.9 strikeouts over 153 ⅔ innings pitched.
What this adds
King's performance was crucial in securing the win, as Miller's last act in Game 2 was a total disappointment, giving up a walk-off single to Jackson Chourio.
The Padres' season was on the line, and King's availability was a result of Miller being placed on the paternity list.
The team's confidence in King's ability to perform under pressure was evident, as he successfully shut down the Brewers in the eighth and ninth innings.
Background
Jake Cronenworth hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, sending the ball 368 feet to right field, putting the San Diego Padres ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers with a 3-2 lead in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on Tuesday.
The Dodgers' decision to start Skubal reflects their confidence in his ability to perform under pressure.
What's confirmed
- The following afternoon, about 45 minutes before the start of Game 3, Mason Miller, their star closer, was placed on the paternity list to witness the birth of his first child.
- Fried is slated to pitch a crucial Game 3 with his girlfriend due any day, but he publicly confirmed he isn’t skipping his start for anything.
- Seeing Fried post up for his team while Miller sits out an elimination game brought the debate over playoff priorities right to the forefront.
- Miller couldn’t have picked a worse time to step away, leaving San Diego without its top bullpen weapon right before a win-or-go-home Game 3.
- San Diego Padres All-Star reliever Mason Miller will miss an elimination game against the Milwaukee Brewers after being placed on Major League Baseball’s paternity list ahead of Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
What's still developing
- "I kind of told him like, 'Why?'" Padres third baseman Manny Machado recalled.
- "Incredible, really," Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. said.
- "I'm ready for bed," Machado said as midnight approached Tuesday.
- "It's going to be another fight, just like the first three games, and I don't think I expect anything different."
- "He's a beast," Padres reliever Jason Adam said.
- Making matters worse, Miller’s last act on Sunday was a total disappointment.
- Trusted to secure a six-out save in Game 2, he unravelled with two outs and two strikes in the ninth, giving up a walk-off single to Jackson Chourio.
- Rodriguez got through the seventh allowing a run, by which point King, a former reliever with the New York Yankees, started warming up in the bullpen.
- Both would be unavailable with the Padres' season on the line.
- Over the next three hours, Miller and the Padres were waiting to see if his wife might deliver in time for him to make it to the ballpark for the game.
- PT, Miller went on the paternity list, prompting left-hander reliever Wandy Peralta to replace him on the roster.
- Buehler made 32 starts for the Padres in the regular season, his most in a single season since 2021 — a year that saw the right-hander earn his second All-Star nod with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2019 was his other All-Star campaign).