​SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 and Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after the 8-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Petco Park on September 29, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Diego Padres rode their momentum from a strong finish in the regular season to a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series at Petco Park. The two teams met a season ago and engaged in a three-game series that saw the Padres score just five runs. San Diego changed that this season and scored 12 runs in two games, which included home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets.Even more impressive than the Padres offense was their pitching. Michael King set the tone in Game 1 of the series and pitched seven innings of shutout baseball with one hit allowed. That hit was an infield hit in the top of the seventh inning that Machado kept from getting to the outfield grass, but he lost the ball on the transfer from his glove to his throwing hand and was unable to make a throw to first base to keep a no-hitter intact. Nick Pivetta followed with a start in Game 2 that got him into the fourth inning, but then the game was turned over to the San Diego bullpen. The function of the team that was the most lauded throughout the season showed once again it was worthy of praise with big arms Bradgley Rodriguez, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller delivering a win.The Padres head to Milwaukee to take on the top seeded Brewers and Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski. If San Diego can get similar performances from their offense and in particular their stars, and get solid contributions from the likes of Robbie Ray and Walker Buehler the Padres could have a chance to punch their ticket to the National League Championship Series.Mark your calendars.How to watch: https://t.co/jlPXVjjDMEpic.twitter.com/GI6i16QBmv— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 1, 2026Padres News:Gavin Sheets announced his presence in the postseason with a two-run blast to right field that helped the Padres get a 4-1 win to complete the sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.After a dominant showing in the NLWCS, Dennis Lin of The Athletic asks if this could be the team to get the Padres back to the World Series.Baseball News:The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies with a Game 3 win.