What Needs to Happen for the Padres to Make the Playoffs This Year?
Against seemingly all odds, the San Diego Padres still have a chance at making the postseason. Those odds are slim, as FanGraphs currently gives them a 0.5 percent chance of playing October baseball. But it's still a chance, nonetheless.
Entering Friday, the Padres sit four games behind the final Wild Card spot in the National League, and trail four teams — the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs. The Philadelphia Phillies seem to have the top Wild Card spot locked up, while the Arizona Diamondbacks have a two-game cushion for the second spot.
So, obviously the Padres don't control their own destiny, but there are still ways for them to get into the postseason if they remain hot, and if the teams in front of them continue to falter.
So, that begs the question.
What Actually Needs to Happen for the Padres to Make the Postseason?
The Padres, of course, need to win, and they're currently doing just that, riding a season-high seven-game winning streak.
They play the St. Louis Cardinals, the Giants and the Chicago White Sox to close out the year, all in three-game series.
Since they're playing the Giants, they control their own destiny regarding passing them. That just leaves three more teams.
If the Padres were to win out the rest of the way — ending their season on an incredible 16-game winning streak — they would need the rest of the teams to do as follows:
The Cubs would need to go 3-6 or worse for the Padres to pass them in the Wild Card. They play three against the Colorado Rockies at home, three against the Braves in Atlanta and three against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
The Reds would need to go 4-4 or worse for the Padres to pass them in the Wild Card. They play three against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, two against the Guardians in Cleveland and three against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
The Marlins would need to go 4-5 or worse for the Padres to pass them in the Wild Card. They play three against the Milwaukee Brewers at home, three against the Mets in New York and three against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
So, what do you think? Can all these things happen for the Padres to make a miraculous run to the postseason?
Logic would tell you probably not, but crazier things have happened for sure. And if the Padres do end the season on an incredible 16-game winning streak firing on all cylinders, it's safe to say no one will want to face them in October.
