Padres can clinch historic third straight playoff berth at Dodger Stadium

Not many celebrations could have a good fit in enemy territory. But this one has the potential to hit differently. The Padres kicked off their series at Dodger Stadium with a magic number of two and a chance to accomplish something no San Diego team has ever done: reach the postseason for a third consecutive year.

Their recent hot play has made the math simple. Any combination of Padres wins and Diamondbacks losses totaling two punches San Diego’s ticket. A Padres win and an Arizona loss could finish the job Tuesday night. Two San Diego victories would do it. So would two Arizona losses.

So there’s not much of a flowchart needed here. The Friars just need to win some games, maybe get a little help, maybe not and make franchise history in LA.

The Dodgers already own the division. And to be fair, they earned it. Los Angeles enters the series at 96-60, nine games ahead of San Diego. Still, the location matters here. Dodger Stadium was the scene of San Diego’s postseason-clinching triple play in 2024, with Manny Machado starting one of the wildest finishes in franchise history. Two years later, the Padres could turn the Dodgers’ final home series into another October checkpoint of their own. Maybe that’s a little petty? Sure. But it’s a baseball rivalry, they can use it. 

Three straight playoff berths would change the Padres’ standard

Honestly, the story is bigger than trying to irritate a bunch of Dodgers fans. Before this current run, the Padres had reached the postseason in consecutive seasons only once, back in 2005 and 2006. October baseball spent most of this franchise’s existence feeling like a solar eclipse. Some fans had to wait years. Some even more than a decade. Three straight berths would officially leave those standards in the dust.

This current version of the Padres are expensive, aggressive and, at times, exhausting. A.J. Preller has operated the front office with his foot welded to the gas pedal. That approach has created a lot of chaos, but it has also created expectations that barely existed in San Diego for much of the franchise’s history.

Making the playoffs once can be a great season for some fans. Making them three years in a row is an era. We should also let the Padres celebrate if they clinch. We don’t need the too-cool routine about how a playoff berth means nothing unless it ends with a parade. Let them celebrate, it’s been a grueling season and sometimes they’ve even looked down and out. When a team earns its way into October, the champagne is justified. But after that night, the real work will truly begin.

Their bats disappeared at the end of the 2024 NLDS against Los Angeles. The offense produced only five runs during its three-game Wild Card Series loss to the Cubs last year. Simply reaching the postseason no longer clears the bar for this roster.

Three consecutive appearances would represent genuine franchise history. Another quick exit would leave the Padres answering the same uncomfortable questions. First, let’s have them get in. Then we can address the rest. 

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