Michael King was one of the assets acquired by the San Diego Padres when they traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees in December, and there was uncertainty as to what his role would be.
King played 49 games for New York in 2023, and only started nine. However, San Diego was in dire need of a starter after Blake Snell (2023 NL Cy Young Award winner), Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha left as free agents.
Nearly 10 months later, there is no debate about King’s role. The 29-year-old right-hander will start the first game of the best-of-three NL wild-card series when the fourth-seeded Padres host the fifth-seeded Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
Atlanta had uncertain pitching plans after entering the postseason at its last chance on Monday.
King went 13-9 in 31 appearances (30 starts) during the regular season and was fourth in the National League in ERA (2.95) and fifth in strikeouts (201). He allowed two runs or less in 23 of his 30 starts.
“He’s in a great position,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said Monday. “He’s one of the best in ERA … and he can navigate both sides of the plate with his arsenal. Michael is very aggressive and has competed well.”
Shildt said he told King on Saturday that he would be the starter for Game 1. Joe Musgrove will start Game 2 on Wednesday and right-hander Dylan Cease will start Game 3, if necessary, on Thursday.
Tuesday will be King’s second postseason appearance. He pitched two perfect innings in relief for the Yankees in Game 3 of the 2020 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
That series was played in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic and the stadium was empty. Petco Park is now considered one of the best atmospheres in the Major Leagues and King is looking forward to enjoying that atmosphere.
“It’s very uncomfortable for a team to come in,” King said of the fierce atmosphere. “It’s going to be a very difficult time for our opponent. I can’t wait to turn on my PitchCom (device) and make sure I hear everything. It’s going to be a fun time (Tuesday night).”
King has faced Atlanta just once in his career, and that was last season with the Yankees. He pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and allowed one hit.
The Braves clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season by splitting a doubleheader with the New York Mets on Monday. Atlanta blew the ninth in the first game and lost 8-7 before ending their postseason run with a 3-0 victory in the second game.
Atlanta left-handed pitcher Chris Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) was unavailable for the doubleheader because of back spasms that affected him in his start on September 19 against the Cincinnati Reds. Braves manager Brian Snitker said he doesn’t expect Sale to pitch in the series against San Diego.
The Braves boarded their long flight from Atlanta to San Diego on Monday night without announcing who would start Game 1. One of the options is the promotion of a pitcher from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Star baseman Matt Olson wasn’t overly concerned about the situation facing his club, as the Braves had been plagued by injuries all year.
The biggest offensive loss was 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., who suffered a season-ending knee injury in May. Slugger Austin Riley (broken hand) is also out for the rest of the year, and three-time second baseman Ozzie Albies recently returned from a broken wrist.
Among the losses was right-hander Spencer Strider, who made two early season starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.
“We all battle injuries throughout the year,” Olson said Monday. “You focus too much on that when it comes to yourself … No one on the outside cares. We never use it as an excuse. In fact, these are some of the big names in the game and players with some stats on their baseball. “But we didn’t let it get to us and we kept working hard.”
The Padres went 4-3 against the Braves last season.
— Field level media
2024-10-01 03:05:28
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