Albert Pujols in the mix to be Padres manager

Albert Pujols popped in for Game 3 on his way to his interview for the vacant Padres manager job, for which he is considered a serious candidate.

Pujols, ex-Padres coach and current Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, ex-Padre and current Rangers exec Nick Hundley, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Padres scout and ex-Mariners manager Scott Servais and Padres 3B coach Brian Esposito are among the candidates.

The Twins may have a decision by the end of the week, with the finalists reportedly Flaherty, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, ex-Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Servais.

Yankees hitting coach James Rowson in the dugout. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

How important is a great catcher? Arguably, the four LCS teams have the four best catchers: Cal Raleigh, Will Smith, Alejandro Kirk and William Contreras.