San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies
- Game 1: 5:40 p.m. Friday (Padres.TV)
- Game 2: 5:10 p.m. Saturday (Padres.TV)
- Game 3: 12:10 p.m. Sunday (Padres.TV)
In the standings
San Diego Padres (76-64, 2nd in NL West)
The Padres have lost four in a row and eight of 10, but they remain just two games behind the Dodgers in the division. But they have slipped four games behind the Cubs in the race for the NL’s top wild-card spot and are just one game ahead of the Mets, the current No. 3 wild-card team. The Padres have won five of six so far against the Rockies and two of three in Denver. They have outscored Colorado 53-18 so far.
Colorado Rockies (39-101, 5th in NL West)
The Rockies have the majors’ worst record and are the only team to be officially eliminated from the postseason. They also have the majors’ worst run differential at minus-364. Manager Bud Black was fired after a 7-33 start during the Padres’ last trip to Coors Field, but the team is 32-68 under interim manager Warren Schaeffer. The Rockies have lost three in a row.
Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi, left, holds back Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland as he yells at San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers after his two-run home run in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Pitching matchups
Friday
Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (13-4, 2.84 ERA) | He started the Padres’ last victory—five innings, three runs (two earned) in a 12-3 win in Minnesota on Saturday—and the team is 11-3 when he pitches after a loss. Pivetta has allowed six runs in 11 innings in two starts this year against the Rockies, with all six runs scoring in his four-inning loss at Coors Field in May. Pivetta has lost all four starts in his career at Coors Field (14 IP, 27 ER, 5 HRs).
Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-14, 5.41 ERA) | He was ejected after just eight pitches for his part in Tuesday’s benches-clearing incident with the Giants, so he’s plenty fresh for another start three days later. His 14 losses are tied for a career high, while a hit rate of 11.4 per nine innings is the worst of his career. Freeland has a 4.74 ERA in 127 ⅓ career innings against the Padres, including five runs in five innings in a loss in April in San Diego.
Saturday
Padres TBA | With Michael King not likely to return until at least after this series, RHP Randy Vásquez (3-6, 3.96 ERA) could be an option to pitch in this spot, either as a starter as a bulk reliever. He has allowed five runs across his two starts (8 IP) with Triple-A El Paso. Vásquez last pitched on Aug. 23 as he was on the paternity list. Vásquez last pitched in the majors as a bulk reliever at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 15 (3⅔ IP, 2 ER). He has allowed six runs in 8 ⅔ innings in two starts at Coors Field.
Rockies TBA | Interim manager Warren Schaeffer has not announced the rest the rotation for the rest of the series.
Sunday
Padres RHP Dylan Cease (6-11, 4.81 ERA) | He has a 5.96 ERA over his last five starts and has completed five innings just twice in that stretch. Cease has not faced the Rockies since going 2-1 in three starts last year (3.44 ERA). He has a 4.15 ERA in three career starts at Coors Field.
Team leaders
- OPS: Padres—OF Ramón Laureano (.904), 1B Ryan O’Hearn (.816), 3B Manny Machado (.809); Rockies—C Hunter Goodman (.852), OF Mickey Moniak (.800), OF Jordan Beck (.768).
- HRs: Padres—Laureano (22), Machado (22), OF Fernando Tatis Jr. (19); Rockies—Goodman (27), Moniak (18), Beck (14), OF Brenton Doyle (14).
- RBIs: Padres—Machado (81), Laureano (70), DH Gavin Sheets (62); Rockies—Goodman (83), Moniak (55), Doyle (54).
- Steals: Padres—Tatis (27), SS Xander Bogaerts (20), Machado (12); Rockies—OF Tyler Freeman (17), Doyle (15), Beck (15).
- Saves: Padres—RHP Robert Suarez (35-for-40, 2.90 ERA), RHP Mason Miller (21-for-25, 3.22 ERA); Rockies—RHP Seth Halvorsen (11-for-14, 4.99 ERA), RHP Victor Vodnik (6-for-10, 3.12 ERA), RHP Zach Agnos (4-for-4, 6.98 ERA).
- Holds: Padres—RHP Jason Adam (29, 1.93 ERA), RHP Jeremiah Estrada (27, 3.00 ERA), LHP Adrián Morejón (18, 1.85 ERA); Rockies—RHP Juan Mejia (8, 3.93 ERA), Vodnik (7), RHP Jimmy Herget (5, 2.55 ERA).
Training room
San Diego: RHP Jason Adam underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a ruptured left quad tendon. He is done for the year. SS Xander Bogaerts hopes to return from his foot facture before the end of the season, while RHP Michael King (knee) could return to the rotation after one more side session. RHP Joe Musgrove (Tommy John surgery) continues to throw bullpens in hopes of making himself a postseason option.
Colorado: DH Kris Bryant is on the 60-day injured list with lumbar degenerative disk disease. He does not have a timetable for a return. INF Thairo Estrada (hamstring) is also on the 60-day injured list and will not return this season. The Rockies are also without RHP Seth Halvorsen (flexor), RHP Dugan Darnell (hip), RHP Zach Agnos (flexor), and RHP Jeff Criswell (elbow).