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The San Diego Padres needed something like this to turn the tide. The Friars dropped the first two games in their five-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers. It could have just as easily been 2-0. The Padres were on the wrong end of some misfortunate plays in Games 1 and 2. They made sure that wasn’t the case in Game 3 at home.

San Diego got out to an early lead before the Brewers tied the game at two apiece Jake Cronenworth immediately hit a go-ahead solo shot to left field. The Padres added an insurance run on a Milwaukee error that ended up being the difference maker. The Brewers tried to mount a comeback, and got another run, but couldn’t follow through. The Friars will attempt to turn the series back to Milwaukee and force Game 5 tonight.

Taking the mound

Robert Gasser (MIL) v. Walker Buehler (SD)

Gasser’s lack of playoff experience is made up by some incredible recent success. The lefty pitched to a 2.87 ERA down the stretch (36.0 IP). But the Brewers’ pitcher has only played in two postseason games. Both of those contests came in 2025, where Gasser struggled. He surrendered two runs across 2 2/3 innings.

The one major question is how he’ll fare against San Diego. Throughout his short career, Gasser has never faced the Padres. That could give him an advantage over the club, but that remains to be seen. Manager Pat Murphy has also suggested that swingman Chad Patrick could be used in bulk relief during Game 4, but that’s up in the air as well.

Buehler gets a well-deserved nod for the Padres. He likely would have pitched Game 1 over Robbie Ray, but was on the paternity list to start the series. That gives Buehler a chance to redeem San Diego by forcing Game 5 in Milwaukee. He’s got the postseason tenure to do so, with a 3.04 career ERA in the playoffs (94.2 IP).

The veteran right-hander made just one start against the Brewers this season, but pitched quite well against them. Buehler twirled six innings of one-run ball, surrendering just three hits and two walks. If he can replicate that performance (and the offense can back him up), San Diego could force this series back to Milwaukee for Game 5.

Batter up!

The Padres’ lineup hasn’t fared that well this series. The Brewers actually outhit San Diego 11 to six last night. The Friars just made more of their opportunities. If they can eke out another win (or better yet, blow Milwaukee out), they’ll get a shot at taking the series in Milwaukee on Friday.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
2. Jackson Merrill, CF
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Ty France, 1B
5. Gavin Sheets, DH
6. Xander Bogaerts, SS
7. Luis Campusano, C
8. Dustin Harris, LF
9. Jake Cronenworth, 2B

Tatis has been mired in an absolute slump this series. He’s gone an abysmal 1-for-14 (.071) with four strikeouts. The star right fielder did record a crucial RBI on a ground out in Game 3, but San Diego needs more from Tatis if they’re to keep their season alive. He’s been a monster in the playoffs before (.952 career postseason OPS), he just needs to unlock it at the right time.

Relief corps

It’s all hands on deck yet again as San Diego tries to avert disaster. Starter Nick Pivetta went a solid 4 1/3 innings of two-run ball before Jason Adam struggled to finish the fifth inning. Yuki Matsui ended the trouble before Bradgley Rodriguez covered the seventh. Then, in a surprise twist, ace Michael King pitched the final two innings. Despite some fireworks in the end, King closed out the win for San Diego.

It was odd to not see southpaw Adrian Morejon in the ninth inning with two lefties up to bat. However, it’s been revealed that Morejon is dealing with some stickiness in his throwing shoulder. With elite closer Mason Miller on the paternity list, the Friars could be without their two highest-leverage options. The Padres’ primary options out of the ‘pen are David Morgan and Wandy Peralta, neither of whom pitched in last night’s contest.

The ALDS continues with the White Sox looking to finish off a sweep of the Guardians in Chicago.

The Guardians will start rookie Daniel Espino.

The White Sox are going with journeyman lefty reliever Sean Newcomb. The game airs on TBS and HBO Max.

The Dodgers take on the Braves with a chance to finish the series, up 2-1. It’s a batter of Tylers with Glasnow against Mahle.

Tonight, the Rays can finish off a sweep in Yankee Stadium, to air on TBS and HBO Max. Max Fried will start with a defense that will look to avoid the errors and miscues that cost them in Game 2.

Nick Martinez starts for the Rays. Game time is 7 CT.

And it will be Brewers vs. Padres tonight, with Milwaukee up 2-1. Robert Gasser faces Walker Buehler.

The Dodgers will try to finish off the Braves to move onto the NLCS Wednesday night in Atlanta. The Dodgers will start RHP Tyler Glasnow while the Braves will hope that RHP Tyler Mahle can save their season. First pitch is scheduled for 5pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox/FS1.

After a demoralizing first two games of the AL Division Series in Tampa Bay, it all comes down to Wednesday night as the Yankees fight to keep their postseason run alive in Game 3.

Aaron Boone finally made some changes to the lineup and will give some of the Yankees’ bench their chance in the spotlight, most notably including Anthony Volpe, who is replacing Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second, and José Caballero, who is taking Ryan McMahon’s spot at third. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise given their egregious errors that put the Yankees in an early deficit in Game 2.

The order has been shifted to adjust to these changes, with Trent Grisham taking the leadoff spot, followed by Ben Rice and Luis García Jr. in the hole. Cody Bellinger will take the cleanup spot, followed by George Lombard Jr., and Austin Wells will notably start in the middle of the order for the first time this postseason. Rounding out the bottom of the order, Volpe will make his second postseason start this season, followed by Spencer Jones and Caballero.

At first glance, this lineup has some grit and can bring some life to the Yankees’ offense, which has struggled in this series, scoring three runs combined in the first two games. It’s an interesting choice to have Grisham batting leadoff, especially since he’s struggled in the postseason, going 0-for-6 in the Division Series, and missed the final weeks of the regular season due to a hamstring injury.

However, the new additions in Wednesday night’s lineup may give fans some pause. Volpe, who went 1-for-3 during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series with a sacrifice bunt, has the potential to contribute offensively. However, with only having 11 games at second base on his resume in the regular season, will he make an impact on the other side of the ball?

Max Fried will take the bump for the Pinstripes in his second postseason appearance this season. He will go up against righty Nick Martinez, who is 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA in nine appearances in the Bronx. Martinez is entering a hostile situation, not only because he’s a starting pitcher for the Rays, but also because he’s returning to a familiar environment, as he attended some Yankees games during his time as a student at Fordham University. He was reportedly even kicked out once after indulging in one too many adult beverages.

Adjusting the mindset from the last two games will be essential as the Yankees prepare to play in one of the most brutal, intense playoff atmospheres in the league. The key to staying alive tonight is driving some runs in early and allowing the bullpen to enter the stage in a low-risk scenario.

Here’s a look at the Rays’ lineup, unchanged from the previous two games in this series, which has Yandy Díaz in the leadoff spot followed by Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.

This Tyler-squared matchup would be more fun if it weren’t elimination-flavored, no?

One game at a time. Win tonight.

Game Notes

Pitching preview

Lineups

Tyler Glasnow on the mound, a trip to the National League Championship could be secured this evening in Georgia. Joe Davis and Miguel Rojas both on the shelf for this one.

NLDS Game 4 info

• Teams: No. 2 seed Dodgers vs. No. 3 seed Braves
• Series: Los Angeles leads, 2-1
• Ballpark: Truist Park, Atlanta
• Start time: 3:08 p.m.
• TV: FS1 (Brandon Gaudin, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal)
• National radio: ESPN Radio (Dave O’Brien, Jessica Mendoza)
• Local English radio: AM 570 (Stephen Nelson, Rick Monday)
• Local Spanish radio: KTNQ 1020 AM (José Mota, Luis Cruz)

The Wild Card Series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs was the most stress-free and lopsided playoff series the team has ever been a part of. The offense was relentless, and the pitching was dominant. It is unrealistic to expect that against the Milwaukee Brewers.

What we experienced instead was the most stressful and exhausting baseball of any playoff series in recent memory.

With the Friars kicked in the gut the first two games in Milwaukee, losing after being ahead in both games, the team had their backs against the wall in their return home to Petco Park for a must-win Game 3.

Outstanding and a grind

The Friar Faithful likely witnessed the best game of the season in the 4-3 win over the Brewers on Tuesday night. All phases of their game had to be on point. After getting out to a two-run lead, the Padres had to keep responding to a Brewers team that just never quits. Tenacity applies to both teams in this series, and it’s a battle to the end of nine innings to determine who is still standing at the conclusion.

The 47,708 Padres fans in attendance joined the TV audience to fight through 3 hours and 22 minutes of grueling baseball. The competition was spectacular and exhausting.

Key pieces absent

What we didn’t know going into the must-win contest was that closer Mason Miller would be absent to attend the birth of his first child. And Adrian Morejon had a sore shoulder, which would keep them both away from competition.

Down their two most high-leverage relievers, the coaching staff had to put together a plan that would cover whatever innings starter Nick Pivetta left for the bullpen.

Their secret weapon was Michael King

At the conclusion of his start versus Milwaukee in the second game of the series, King told manager Craig Stammen that he would be available for the bullpen in games 3 and 4. After throwing 72 pitches on Sunday in their 4-3 loss, King was all in on providing more depth for the pitching staff. He was a reliever before becoming a starter, a perfect setup to provide reliable depth in the bullpen.

Instead of throwing his regular between-starts bullpen on Tuesday, King reported to the bullpen at the start of the game. 

Bogaerts was as surprised as the Friar Faithful

Xander Bogaerts saw King starting to warm up before the eighth inning and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. In the postgame scrum at his locker, Bogaerts’ awe was obvious.

“It’s unbelievable him being available for that,” Bogaerts said.

Being available wasn’t the end of what King was intending. When it became clear that Miller would be away for the game, King became the de facto closer for the Padres. Called into action after Stammen used Jason Adam, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Yuki Matsui from the fifth through seventh innings, King was it for the last six outs. No one outside the organization knew that Morejon was unavailable. The Padres kept that piece of information very private before the game.

When the ninth inning began without anyone warming in the bullpen, it was obvious the burden was King’s to bear.

His six-out save was his first as a major league pitcher and kept the Friars afloat to fight another day.

A must-win Game 4

Manager Craig Stammen wasn’t willing to divulge the Game 4 starter at his postgame news conference on Tuesday night, but Walker Buehler would be the logical choice. That became official a couple of hours after the game, and pitching coach Ruben Niebla also said as much in his post-game scrum with the media.

Buehler last pitched on Sept. 26 against Arizona in the last series of the regular season. He allowed five hits and three runs over 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. He was unavailable to pitch in the first two games versus Milwaukee while attending the birth of his second child in San Diego.

Activated back to the roster on Oct. 5, Buehler should be fresh and tuned up for his start.

The big question now is who will be in the bullpen to back Buehler up. All hands on deck is the battle cry for any team in the postseason. Regular season constraints and workload considerations won’t apply. The staff can’t worry about saving anyone for the next game. There won’t be a next game without winning this one.

Niebla was optimistic that both Miller and Morejon would be a part of their plan for Game 4. He said as much during his postgame comments. The decision on Morejon won’t come until they evaluate him today. Niebla reported that he threw a bullpen session before the game on Tuesday, but he wasn’t healthy enough to pitch that day.

Gavin Sheets should return

The other player originally intended to be available on Tuesday was Gavin Sheets, who was penciled in to DH. He was scratched with a stiff neck that wasn’t responsive to treatment before the game. His availability for Game 4 will be assessed during pregame work. It was reported after the game on Tuesday that he had improved and was available in the eighth inning.

Luck and determination are needed

Hopefully, Morejon, Miller, and Sheets can all be ready for tonight, and the Padres will need more from their offense against the Brewers if they want to push the series to Game 5. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. remains in a slump; he is 1-for-14 in the series. After chasing 10 of the 21 pitches he saw outside of the strike zone in the first two games, Tatis was more selective in Tuesday’s contest. He was able to make contact and drive in a run with a groundout in the third inning.

Jake Cronenworth hit a go-ahead home run to the Crone Zone in Game 3, his first meaningful contribution in the series after going 0-for-7 in the first two games. He also laid down a sacrifice bunt in the third inning that contributed to the team’s first run.

With contributions from the full lineup, the Padres will need their complete bullpen to step up. For these two home games, the entire pitching staff is available. Adam, Rodriguez, and Matsui carried the load on Tuesday. Joe Musgrove, Robbie Ray, and David Morgan will need to contribute for this series to continue. 

King contends he is able to come in for Game 4 after throwing 41 pitches in his closer role in Game 3. It is likely his availability will be as an emergency-only option.

Luck and determination served the Padres well on Tuesday. They will need more of the same as well as increased contributions from their player depth. An offensive explosion would also be welcomed.

There is enough to pull this out if the team continues to play as a cohesive group and the contributions come from all through the roster. Beating this Brewers team is a challenge but the Friars have been playing with resilience and togetherness.

Both will be required to finish this out.

Up the list, Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez climbs.

The Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman hit his 17^th career postseason home run Tuesday, Oct. 17, leaving him tied for 18th overall with sluggers Aaron Judge and David Ortiz.

Behold all 17 of Hernandez's blasts.

Yet the feat by the 35-year-old Dodger is likely underappreciated.

It wasn’t just a home run Hernandez hit. It was a two-run blast that helped the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves, 3-1, in Game 3 of the best-of-five NLDS as Los Angeles took a 2-1 lead.

On the all-time playoff homer list, Hernandez needs just one more to catch Reggie Jackson, the legendary New York Yankees slugger who earned the nickname “Mr. October.’’ Would Hernandez earn the right to borrow the moniker and any home run magic that comes with it?

He’s swinging for the fences on a star-studded list led by Manny Ramirez with 26 postseason home runs and populated by Derek Jeter (20), Albert Pujols (19) and Mickey Mantle (18).

Hernandez looks like he crashed the party, with Hernandez the only utilityman on the list of select sluggers.

But perhaps most impressive of all for Hernandez is this: During the regular season, he has averaged a home run every 28.4 at-bats. During the postseason, by contrast, he has averaged a home run every 17.5 at-bats.

This is his 10th season with the Dodgers. Of his 17 postseason homers, he hit 12 for the Dodgers. Perhaps his most memorable was a three-homer game in Game 5 of the 2017 NLCS that helped power the Dodgers past the Cubs, 11-1, and advance into the World Series.

Hernandez hit his other five playoff homers for the Boston Red Sox 2021. He has three World Series championships, all with the Dodgers (2020, 2024, 2025).

NLDS results: Dodgers vs Braves LIVE updates, lineups and where to watch NLDS Game 4