What Is the Path to the Padres’ Best Playoff Starting Rotation?

Pivetta has seamlessly stepped into the role Joe Musgrove has filled for the Padres in recent years: steady, reliable, and unafraid to challenge hitters in any situation. For Pivetta, nothing needs to change. He feels like the safest Game 2 option to either build off of King’s momentum or to shift the tide if the series opener doesn’t fall San Diego’s way.

Dylan Cease: The X-Factor

Speaking of swing-and-miss, no pitcher in this rotation has the kind of pure stuff that Cease does. His fastball-slider combination is electric, and when everything is clicking, hitters look overmatched. The problem is that there have been peaks and troughs this season for Cease. 

In many of his starts, he will look untouchable, but then his control will seem to vanish. The diminished control, more times than not, will derail his start, requiring the bullpen to bail him out. The challenge for Cease will be to avoid the crooked number, minimizing walks and limiting blow-up innings that can flip a game. If he can do that, he will be playoff gold.

There is a reason why Preller decided to hold onto Cease, and it is because having him on the roster inarguably increases your chances of winning.

Yu Darvish: The Steadying Hand

At the age of 38, Darvish isn’t the same pitcher who overpowered opposing offenses with seven different pitches at top velocity. That doesn’t mean he is no longer valuable, and he has been trending in the right direction. In his start on August 22, he delivered six strong innings, retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, and struck out five.

Just like King, the next month will be important for Darvish to round out his arsenal before heading into October. As the likely Game 4 starter, Darvish gives the Padres a chance to win every game, and perhaps more importantly, he brings the kind of steadying presence that can help the staff navigate its way through October. 

The Path Forward

The formula for the Padres’ best rotation is straightforward. King needs to get back to attacking all four quadrants with conviction, setting the tone at the top. Pivetta must keep riding his breakout by pounding the zone and pitching aggressively. Cease needs to avoid the blow-up innings that can unravel a start. And Darvish has to stay sharp and healthy, providing the veteran stability this staff needs.

If those boxes are checked before the calendar flips to October, San Diego will have a rotation capable of matching up with anyone.

Stats were taken prior to play on August 28.