Padres Magic Number Update: Mets just gifted San Diego a favorable path

It was just this past week that Padres fans were reconsidering their team's chance of success in the upcoming postseason. With the Mets right on San Diego's tail in the NL Wild Card chase, the Friars lost the series in New York, which closed the gap for the second spot.

But rather than the Mets carry their momentum into the weekend series against the Washington Nationals, they let it slip through their fingers. Facing the Washington Nationals at home, New York lost two games to the NL East basement dwellers, which has put the Padres in a very favorable position.

The San Diego Padres' magic number is now one. If they can pick up a win on Monday at home against the Milwaukee Brewers, then the Friars have their playoff ticket punched. Just like that.

San Diego Padres are just one win away from clinching a playoff spot in 2025

The Padres (85-71) almost let their losing skid bleed into their weekend series against the Chicago White Sox. Another struggling team, the ChiSox squeaked by the Padres in the series opener, but San Diego thankfully found a way to grab the series win.

Jackson Merrill homered and scored three times on Saturday, then Michael King delivered five scoreless frames on Sunday to keep the team's playoff hopes within clinching distance. Fernando Tatis Jr. deposited his 23rd home run of the season in the third inning to make it a 3-0 Padres lead as part of the 3-2 win.

As for the Mets, they are now contending with the Cincinnati Reds for the final spot in the Wild Card. Sitting at 80-76, with the Arizona Diamondbacks just 1.5 games back, the Mets have six games remaining. All of them are on the road, with the first stop being against the Chicago Cubs. It's a tough road ahead for them, which is also good news for the Padres.