Pencil in the Padres

No, change that to a Sharpie or something more permanent. San Diego has officially ended a 14 year absence from the playoffs. Mitch Moreland -- seen here in his days with the Red Sox -- doubled in another American League expat, Manny Machado (below) with the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning. The Padres 7-4 victory over the Mariners clinch a spot in the Wild Card round. Playing out west and in a smaller media market, San Diego has made a combination of bold and subtle moves to assure themselves of a spot in the tournament. Mid-season pickup Moreland and headline-grabbing 2019 free agent Machado are the perfect contrast. Little moves and big ones finally enabled the Padres recast their image. They did a lot that "under the radar." 

With a 34-20 record with six games to go, not only are they heading back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, they've posted the second best record in the entire National League and will host that Wild Card round series beginning next week.



 

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