Padres and Cubs meet again

The Padres beat the Diamondbacks ten to seven on Saturday night, clinching their third straight ninety-win season and a rematch with the Cubs, who knocked them out in the Wild Card round last October at Wrigley Field.

Home field secured

The Phillies' loss to Tampa Bay earlier Saturday locked in the Cubs as San Diego's first-round opponent. The Padres' win over Arizona ensured they would host the Wild Card Series at Petco Park.

Machado reaches milestone

Manny Machado launched his thirtieth homer of the season on Saturday night, his eighth thirty-homer season and his fourth with San Diego, tying him with Adrián González for the most thirty-homer seasons in club history.

Machado chases four hundred

Machado's three-run homer in the fourth inning proved decisive. The blast was his three hundred ninety-ninth career home run. Only Mike Piazza hit career home run number four hundred with the Padres, in two thousand six.

“For sure, that's a big number. I need one more though.”

Stammen makes history

Manager Craig Stammen became the first rookie manager in Padres history to win ninety games. He went to his bullpen early in Saturday's game, with the bullpen mostly excellent before Mason Miller allowed three runs in the ninth.

Buehler's playoff role unclear

Walker Buehler made thirty-two starts this season with a four point six three ERA but was not sharp on Saturday, allowing four runs over three and two-thirds innings. Michael King starts Game One, and Buehler or Robbie Ray could start a potential Game Three.

“I'm not super concerned about it. If you don't throw strikes, you can't win games, and I've always thrown strikes. I didn't tonight.”

Wild Card Series starts Tuesday

Game One of the Wild Card Series between the Padres and Cubs begins on Tuesday at Petco Park. The Padres will presumably rest most of their regulars in Sunday's regular-season finale.

“The reward is getting to play a couple playoff games at home. We're excited about that.”