The Friars are back at Petco Park for a seven-game homestand. With the postseason chase in full-gear, here's a look at what's to come from The Gaslamp versus Cincinnati:
The Padres (78-65, 2nd in NL West) defeated the Colorado Rockies with an 8-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field. After being blanked by Kyle Freeland in the series' first contest, San Diego's offense bounced back nicely, scoring a total of 18 runs to go along with five home runs in the final two games. Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Gavin Sheets, and Ramón Laureano all went deep in the finale, while right-hander Dylan Cease finally earned his first road victory of the season.
Stay hot, Ramón 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wZVbvkAAPb
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 7, 2025
The Reds (72-71, 3rd in NL Central) who are chasing the third and final Wild Card spot, won a crucial series over the New York Mets with a 3-2 win. Austin Hays' two RBIs were backed by Hunter Greene's 12 strikeout performance on the mound. Cincinnati comes into San Diego six games behind the Friars in the standings and look to make a statement by potentially taking down another top contender in the playoff race.
101 painted on the corner for HG's 12th strikeout 😮💨@HunterGreene17 pic.twitter.com/lEZ7jcOjWO
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 7, 2025
Pitching matchups
Monday: Reds LHP Nick Lodolo (8-7, 3.22 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Yu Darvish (3-5, 5.75 ERA) 6;40 p.m. PT
Nick Lodolo takes the mound for the Reds in the series opener. He suffered a loss last time on the bump after allowing four runs across 4 2/3 innings of work against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lefty has good numbers on the road this season, pitching to a 2.52 ERA and 75 strikeouts.
Yu Darvish's see-saw season continued against the Baltimore Orioles in his last start. He labored through four innings while giving up three runs on six hits. Darvish also issued two walks in the outing. The veteran righty looks for a bounce back start this time around.
Tuesday: Reds RHP Zack Littell (9-8, 3.81 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Michael King (4-2, 2.81 ERA) 6:40 p.m. PT
Littell took a no-decision against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 3. He surrendered five runs over 4 1/3 innings pitched. The righty has familiarity facing San Diego, stemming from his time with the San Francisco Giants.
Ace right-hander Michael King makes his return from the IL after battling left knee soreness. King has been heavily missed by the Padres, especially after the recent rough patch the starting rotation faced. He will most likely be on a pitch count in his first start back, but will serve as a much needed sight for sore eyes and will have time to ramp up in time for the postseason.
Wednesday: Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (8-6, 2.88 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (13-5, 2.85 ERA) 5:40 p.m. PT
All-Star lefty Andrew Abbott will toe the slab in the series finale. The 26 year-old struggled against the Mets offense on Friday, allowing five runs on nine hits across 4 2/3 innings tossed. He threw five innings of one-run baseball against the Padres on June 28.
Padres rotation anchor Nick Pivetta will counter Abbott. He took a loss against the Orioles in his most recent start, despite tossing six innings while giving up just two runs. Pivetta picked up five punch outs in the outing. He's 8-1 with a 2.39 ERA and 100 strikeouts at Petco Park this season.
Early takeaways
San Diego comes into this set just one game behind L.A. for the top spot in the NL West, despite going on a five game skid and 2-8 stretch going into Denver against the Rockies. They can thank the Dodgers for a five game losing streak of their own and an all-time meltdown on Saturday, when Yoshinobu Yamamoto's no-hit bid was spoiled by a two out, ninth inning rally by Baltimore for a walk-off win.
The Padres are close. They're in good position in the Wild Card standings and can perhaps even or surpass Los Angeles with a good showing against the Reds and Rockies throughout the homestand.