Friars On Base
Fansided

Mike Shildt doubles down on Michael King as Padres’ rotation leader

We love to see this level of confidence.
ByPJ Potter|
Cincinnati Reds v San Diego Padres
Cincinnati Reds v San Diego Padres | Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

Padres manager Mike Shildt sure knows how to uplift his players. In the middle of a Cy Young-level season for Nick Pivetta, the Friars manager is not putting all of his confidence into him. He's also falling back on Michael King, who probably needs more support than Pivetta.

Michael King was rising to the top as one of the best pitchers in the National League. He was a Game 1 starter for the Padres in the 2024 playoffs, and he was also the Opening Day starter this season. That train of success was moving along nicely at the start of this campaign, as he held a WHIP under 1.000 through his first nine starts.

Then he hit the injured list with shoulder issues. Then the Padres extended his stay on the reserves. King made one start almost three months later, but then hit the IL again to miss another month to heal from left knee inflammation. It's been a devastating year for King, but his coach has his back. Shildt still thinks he can be the ace of the Padres, and all that matters is how he can pitch in October. He just needs to get their in full health.

“King was an ace for us last year,” Shildt said on MLB.com. “And at the start of the season, he was on pace to be in Cy Young consideration.”

Michael King's return from injury feels even better after Mike Shildt's offers fulls support

King made his return (again) on Sept. 9 and gave a promising start. Against the Cincinnati Reds, he tossed five innings, allowing two runs with two strikeouts.

A healthy Michael King, paired up with Pivetta in the first two games of a playoff series, makes fans think that the Friars have the pitching advantage. These are two of the stronger right-handed arms in the National League, and all San Diego would need to complement these pitchers are a few runs. Let's just hope no one gets hurt again.

Mike Shildt still overtly believes in King. Maybe that could settle the fans' nerves a little. King's injuries could be fully behind him, which comes at a perfect time as the postseason inches closer.

Home/Padres News