Nick Pivetta gives Padres an uncomfortable Robbie Ray, Casey Mize playoff decision

It's been a precipitous fall from grace for Nick Pivetta in 2026, who began the year as the San Diego Padres' Opening Day starter just after emerging as their Game 1 starter in the postseason. Unfortunately, a strained right flexor in his right elbow sidelined him after just four starts, and multiple setbacks kept him off the field until September.

But then, against all odds, he returned to the Friars looking no worse for wear. In his first major-league start in five months, Pivetta shut down the Nationals over five innings, allowing just two hits and no runs. Save for a dominant showing against the Giants all the way back on April 1, it was his best outing all year long.

Now, he's set to take his second start since returning against that very San Francisco team with a lot at stake. If the veteran right-hander dominates again, it will likely shift the team's rotation plans for the postseason.

Padres need Nick Pivetta to stay in form, lest their playoff rotation consist of both Robbie Ray and Casey Mize

There should be doubt about who will be starting Game 1 in any prospective postseason series this year. Michael King has emerged as the unquestioned ace of the staff, leading all Padres starters in ERA (3.03) and innings pitched (175). He's locked into the playoff rotation.

Beyond that, though, there's no certainty. Walker Buehler has looked impressive in the second half (3.26 ERA) and has ample October experience from his days with the Dodgers. Then you have the team's two major trade deadline acquisitions, Robbie Ray and Casey Mize, neither of whom have impressed in San Diego. The former is responsible for a 6.07 FIP and -0.3 fWAR with the Padres, while the latter has a 6.34 ERA and -0.2 fWAR.

Before Pivetta returned, the assumption was that both would start in the playoffs regardless of their struggles. There just simply wasn't enough depth to justify kicking them out, unless you considered yourself the president of Randy Vasquez's fanclub.

Now, though, Pivetta's return puts pressure on Ray and Mize to start performing. There's only room for four starters in a playoff rotation; if the Opening Day starter is back to form, then there's just one spot for those two guys (assuming Buehler is included).

Perhaps this problem actually insinuates its own solution, as you could piggyback Ray and Mize in a Game 4 start. In that sense, you could carry five starters on the roster, and simply ride whichever of the two has the hot hand in a given game.

Considering how much the Padres gave up to bring those two into town, that's not the most elegant idea. But neither has played well enough to deserve their own start -- if we're being honest, they probably wouldn't even be in the playoff conversation on a deeper roster.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow