Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 7:55
The San Diego Padres have officially confirmed their lineup for the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Following a dominant sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round, the team returns to the postseason stage with its core intact. Manager Craig Stammen has made a strategic pitching choice to open the series while leveraging a deep bullpen.
The organization announced a 26-man roster identical to the one used during the Wild Card sweep. The squad features 11 pitchers and 15 position players. Manager Craig Stammen emphasized the value of continuity, noting that every position player received playing time in the previous round. Catcher Luis Campusano, infielders Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, and outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill lead the offensive effort.
In the postseason, every manager is going to be a little more aggressive with their bullpen. It is nice to be aggressive when you know you have a good bullpen.
In a notable decision, the Padres will start left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray for Game 1 on Saturday, October 3. Ray faces Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski. Although Ray posted a higher ERA after being acquired at the trade deadline, his ability to throw strikes and limit damage aligns with playoff baseball demands. Stammen trusts Ray veteran experience to set the tone early in the series.
Walker Buehler, who recently pitched six scoreless innings against Milwaukee, will not start but remains a critical asset. The rotation schedule indicates Michael King will take the mound for Game 2 on Sunday, followed by Nick Pivetta for Game 3 in San Diego on Tuesday.
If the series shifts back to San Diego, the Padres aim to capitalize on their formidable home field advantage. Petco Park has served as a fortress this season, contributing to the team finishing third in league attendance. The passionate Friar Faithful have created an electric atmosphere that heavily favors the home team. Winning at home provides a crucial pathway to advancing past the highly ranked Brewers.
This series marks a fresh challenge following the Wild Card round. The Brewers enter as favorites with the best record in Major League Baseball, having secured over 100 wins. The Padres counter this with significant momentum, having won 17 of their final 20 regular-season games heading into the playoffs. The matchup promises a tactical battle between two well-prepared clubs.
The Padres are fully prepared for a physical five-game series against Milwaukee. With a balanced roster and a clear starting pitching strategy, the team looks to extend their playoff run. Fans can tune into FS1 and FOX to follow the action starting this weekend in Wisconsin.
