Diamondbacks 1 game back of playoff spot after blowout win over Padres

SAN DIEGO — One week ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks trailed the third National League Wild Card spot by five games, all but buried in their pursuit of the postseason.

Six straight victories later, the D-backs are one game out of a playoff spot with two contests left in the regular season.

Arizona (86-74) plowed over the San Diego Padres in their series opener at Petco Park on Friday, 11-4.

The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the day, presenting the Diamondbacks an opportunity to continue making up ground. Philadelphia’s magic number has been stuck at two for three days.

In order to make the playoffs, the Diamondbacks need one of the following to unfold over the weekend:

• Diamondbacks go 2-0, Phillies go 1-1 or 0-2
• Diamondbacks go 1-1, Phillies go 0-2

The odds were nearly impossible to overcome just a few days ago, but the Diamondbacks have mounted their longest winning streak of the 2026 season in a heroic push to the finish line.

Diamondbacks get to Padres early

The D-backs picked up where they left off against Padres starter Casey Mize, whom they scored eight runs off of in his first start after San Diego acquired him at the trade deadline.

This time, the D-backs tagged Mize with seven runs, getting the scoring going right away.

Lars Nootbaar crushed the first pitch of the ballgame 403 feet to open a three-run first inning.

Early runs have been key to this winning streak, as the D-backs have plated at least three runs during the first inning of four straight games, a club record.

Padres fans were loud as the game started, celebrating their team for clinching a playoff spot on Thursday. Then came the boos for Mize, which did not stop after one inning.

Jordan Lawlar hit an opposite-fielding home run in the second, and Nolan Arenado blasted his 30th home run of the season in the third, his fourth long ball in the past five games.

Arizona’s offense brought in double digit runs for the second straight game and has scored 43 runs over the last six contests, a heater at the perfect time for a lineup that has been up-and-down all season.

The Padres took out multiple starters after the sixth inning — San Diego locked in a playoff spot on Thursday but not its seed, leading the Chicago Cubs by 1.5 games for the top NL Wild Card spot and home-field advantage.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt managed to limit damage despite some early traffic and eventually found a groove.

Pfaadt getting deep into the game was imperative for the Diamondbacks, who placed Saturday’s probable starter Corbin Burnes on the injured list and will have to piece together a new pitching plan for the middle game of this series.

Pfaadt ended up pitching 7.2 innings, giving up four earned runs to (likely) finish his regular season with a 3.77 ERA.

By taking such a large lead, the Diamondbacks were able to avoid using their highest-leverage relievers for the second straight game, gassing up the bullpen for what will be a busy day for the unit.

The second game of this series begins at 5:40 p.m. MST on Saturday. Walker Buehler will start for San Diego.

The game will air on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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