All-Star closer Mason Miller is back in the San Diego Padres’ bullpen tonight for Game 4 of the NL Division Series, and man, does San Diego ever need him. The Padres are facing elimination at Petco Park for the second straight night, down 2-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers, and Miller just missed Game 3 on paternity leave. He joined his teammates for warmups three hours before first pitch, and you just know everyone in that dugout is breathing a sigh of relief.
From Delivery Room Cheers to Do-or-Die Pitching
Miller’s return comes after an incredible 24 hours. His wife, Jordan, gave birth to their son Tuesday night during the Padres’ crucial Game 3 victory over Milwaukee. He was so dialed in at the hospital that he actually declined an offer to turn on the TV in the delivery room. “No, I can’t do that,” Miller said with a smile, clearly buzzing. “Adrenaline was going pretty hard.” He heard the good news after his wife and baby were settled, saying, “The Padres won. It was pretty amazing.” His absence for Game 3 was a huge curveball, as the team only ruled him out about 45 minutes before first pitch. But San Diego somehow eked out that 4-3 win with 4 2/3 gritty innings of one-run relief from four different pitchers after starter Nick Pivetta, even getting Game 2 starter Michael King to pitch the final two innings on just one day of rest for his first save since 2023. Talk about scraping one out!
A New Perspective After a Game 2 Nightmare
Now, Miller’s return is huge, but it’s also loaded with pressure after his last outing. He blew a six-out save attempt in Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee, walking the bases loaded before giving up Jackson Chourio’s two-out, two-strike, two-run single that sealed the Brewers’ 4-3 win on Miller’s 40th pitch. That’s a gut punch, right? Both teams quickly dismissed any talk about him tipping pitches, but the sting was real. This guy has been elite all season, racking up 38 saves in 41 opportunities, with a ridiculous 0.90 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in just 70 innings. He’s got that 104 mph fastball that got the Padres 91 wins and the NL’s first wild card spot, even earning the save in their clinching victory. Missing a playoff game to be there for his family, especially after that Game 2, has given him a new outlook. “Obviously, Game 2 (was) not what I had hoped for or planned on,” Miller admitted. But becoming a dad, he says, “gives you the perspective (on) what’s important, that keep you grounded to want to go out and do the best that you can every single day.”
Tonight, it’s do or die. Walker Buehler is starting Game 4 for the Padres after also missing the first two games of this series on the paternity list. They’re also hopeful top setup man Adrian Morejon will be available after battling shoulder discomfort in Game 3. But all eyes are going to be on Miller. Can he tap into that new dad focus and be the “best version of himself” in the biggest game of the season? San Diego needs that 104 mph fastball to be lights out, or their playoff run is over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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