Padres' roster was constructed with October in mind

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres just completed one of the best regular seasons in franchise history. They won 93 games -- only the 98-win 1998 team had more -- and finished the year on an incredible 43-19 run.

Still, as well as the Padres played from April through September, this roster wasn't built for that. This roster was built for October.

"This is the first step," said general manager A.J. Preller, the architect of that postseason-bound roster, during the team's clinch celebration. "Our goal is to win a world championship. Every year we set out with that goal -- play on that big stage, and that big stage is the World Series. And then, to win a World Series.

"You've got to clinch a playoff spot to do it. This is the first step. But we know we're capable of winning a World Series. That's what we're hoping to do here in the next month."

The start of the Padres' October push for the first World Series in franchise history begins Tuesday with Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against Atlanta. First pitch is slated for 5:38 p.m. PT at Petco Park.

Needless to say, the Padres are in better shape than the Braves, who played a doubleheader on Monday, then traveled across the country. Atlanta was the final team to clinch and seems likely to be without ace Chris Sale.

The Padres, meanwhile, spent the weekend resting their bullpen, setting their rotation and giving some regulars a chance to catch their breath. Which was crucial because that rotation, that bullpen and that offense were each constructed with October in mind.

"I'd like to hope so," said second baseman Jake Cronenworth. "I think the way we play, how our team is set up, is good for that type of baseball."

We'll start in the rotation, where the Padres' group of starters is so deep they've pushed Yu Darvish to the bullpen for the Wild Card Series. Michael King gets Game 1, followed by Joe Musgrove and, if necessary, Dylan Cease.

Ideally, the Padres wouldn't use Darvish until the NL Division Series against the Dodgers. But the point is: With this group of starters -- and Martín Pérez available as well -- the Padres won't need spot starts or bullpen games in October -- even when the series get longer.

Speaking of that bullpen, Preller's entire Trade Deadline philosophy was to shorten games. He did exactly that by adding Tanner Scott and Jason Adam to set up closer Robert Suarez. Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada, high-leverage options earlier this season, now pitch the middle innings. Since early June, the Padres have only lost one game when their starter handed a lead to their bullpen.

The offense, meanwhile, is the best in Padres history, and one of the deepest in baseball. The early-season trade for Luis Arraez turned the tide of the year. Acquisitions of Donovan Solano and David Peralta helped fortify that depth.

"A.J., the front office, they did a really good job," Arraez said. "We have a really good team. We're going for the championship."

But beyond the personnel on the roster, the Padres have the makeup of an October team -- mostly in that they know how to take their punches.

"That ability to turn over the page is something we have," said Xander Bogaerts, a two-time World Series champ. "You have some really special wins in October, but you have some really tough losses, too ... and every time you lose, your back's against the wall.

"That's why I think this team's pretty special. You don't forget what happens, but you don't let it affect you as a squad."

QUICK HITS

• Jackson Merrill just turned in what I'm convinced is the best rookie season in Padres history. But -- as is emblematic of the entire Padres roster -- Manny Machado thinks Merrill’s playing style might perfectly fit October.

“I mean, I think he’s been playing like it’s postseason baseball for the last six months,” Machado said. “What he’s been doing has been incredible. His energy has always been top-notch.”

After Sunday’s regular-season finale, Merrill broke into a smirk when asked about his first taste of the postseason.

“I’m kind of excited to see what it brings,” he said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a taste of it throughout the season in some atmospheres. … I’m just excited to play more. I feel like 162 isn’t even enough.”

• It’s not Mike Shildt’s first playoff series at Petco Park. That came when his Cardinals lost in three games to the Padres in the Wild Card Series during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. In fact, in all four of his full seasons as manager, Shildt has reached the playoffs -- albeit with a two-year hiatus before he was hired by the Padres.

“It’s not about me,” Shildt said. “It’s about this group, it’s about this organization, and it’s about being able to celebrate with this group and honor [beloved late owner Peter] Seidler. We’re still in the first stages of what we expect to accomplish.

“But personally, I’m grateful for the organization and A.J. for giving me the opportunity to do it again. It’s good to be back in a familiar area.”

• Asked about reaching the postseason after missing last year, here’s what Machado said: “The team’s been completely different. We’ve been working really hard to get here, and we’re really excited to go out there and bring postseason baseball back to San Diego. [The environment] is going to be through the roof. … Petco Park these next few days -- these next few weeks -- is going to be rocking."