Mike Shildt back to playoffs: this time in walk-off fashion

The San Diego Padres are postseason-bound once again after a drama-filled 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. Freddy Fermin, a trade deadline pickup from Kansas City, delivered the game-winning single in the 11th inning, sending a packed Petco Park crowd of 42,000-plus into a frenzy.

The win wraps San Diego’s fourth playoff trip in the past six seasons and keeps them within striking distance of both the Dodgers in the NL West and the Cubs for the top wild card.

Party in the clubhouse

The celebration was pure San Diego chaos. Manny Machado showed up shirtless and wearing shades, showered in champagne, and even stopped mid-interview to pour tequila into Fermin’s mouth.

“Everything is different. But we’ve got heart,” Machado said. “Everybody wants it. Baseball’s always a challenge.”

Fermin, still dripping from the beer showers, declared, “With this staff we have, we’re going to the World Series. This is special.”

The long road back

The Padres led the division early in the season but slipped through May and June while hovering around .500. By August, they were fighting uphill against the Dodgers and Cubs.

President of baseball operations A.J. Preller reshaped the roster at the deadline, landing reliever Mason Miller, catcher Fermin, and outfielders Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano. The moves helped stabilize the roster and gave San Diego the depth it needed down the stretch.

If the bracket holds

Right now, the Padres are lined up to face the Cubs in a best-of-three wild-card series. The winner would advance to face Milwaukee, who clinched their third straight division crown on Sunday.

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It won’t be easy. Last October, San Diego stunned the Braves in the wild card but fizzled against the Dodgers, going scoreless over their final 24 innings. This group believes it’s different.

Second baseman Jake Cronenworth summed it up: “For us to go to the postseason two years in a row for the first time since 2005-06, that’s truly special.”

And in San Diego, it feels like the ride is just getting started.

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