The San Diego Padres just got their main man back in the bullpen, with closer Mason Miller officially activated from the paternity list and available to pitch in their must-win Game 4 on Wednesday night. It’s a huge shot in the arm for a team fighting to keep their postseason alive, and honestly, the timing could not be more clutch. The team made it official, returning Miller and swapping him onto the NLDS roster in place of LHP Wandy Peralta.
Miller’s return comes after he missed Game 3, a game the Padres absolutely had to win, being down 2-0 in the best-of-five series. And what a game it was, right? San Diego pulled off a gritty 4-3 victory to stay alive, proving they still have some fight left. But let’s be real, they’re still trailing 2-1, and if they do not win tonight, their season is over. The pressure is on, big time. In Miller’s absence for Game 3, manager Craig Stammen turned to starter Michael King to get those crucial late outs. King, who actually started his career as a reliever before becoming a starter, stepped up big. He threw zero runs, gave up only one hit, walked two, and notched a strikeout, shutting things down when it mattered most. Stammen even said King would be available again for Game 4 if they need him. That is some serious depth in a do-or-die situation. Plus, big props to Miller and his wife Jordan on welcoming their first child, with manager Stammen confirming everything went smoothly. Happy family, now back to business on the mound!
So, what is the plan for Game 4? With their season literally on the line, the Padres are handing the ball to Walker Buehler. The 32-year-old has pitched in 32 games this season, holding a 9-6 record with a 4.63 ERA. Stammen is probably going to be on a hair trigger with the bullpen if Buehler hits even a sniff of trouble, especially since they are hoping setup guy Adrian Morejon will also be ready to go tonight. Having Miller back means Stammen can now deploy his late-inning weapons exactly how he wants, which is massive when you are facing elimination.
Tonight is everything. It is Game 4, everything on the line, force a Game 5 on Friday night or go home. You can bet the energy for this one will be absolutely insane! Let’s see if the Padres can keep this rollercoaster rolling and force that series finale!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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