San Diego Padres History & Their 2026 Playoff Run: Everything to Know Before the NLDS
San Diego is buzzing, and for good reason. The Padres just swept the Chicago Cubs out of the Wild Card Series and are heading into the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers — the best team in baseball this season. Here’s a look back at the Padres’ history, plus everything to know about this year’s postseason run.
Who are the San Diego Padres playing in the 2026 MLB playoffs? The San Diego Padres advanced to the NLDS by sweeping the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in the Wild Card Series, setting up a matchup against the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers, with Game 1 on Saturday, October 3.
A Brief History of the San Diego Padres
The Padres joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1969, and for much of their early history, the franchise built its identity around individual greatness more than postseason success — most notably Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Fame outfielder who spent his entire 20-year career in San Diego, won eight batting titles, and remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. Trevor Hoffman, the team’s longtime closer and another franchise icon, turned Petco Park’s bullpen entrance into one of baseball’s most recognizable traditions, emerging to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” for over a decade. Both Gwynn and Hoffman have had their numbers retired by the organization, alongside other franchise greats.
The team has reached the World Series twice, in 1984 and 1998, falling short both times — the 1984 run included a dramatic NLCS comeback against the Chicago Cubs, while the 1998 pennant came against the Atlanta Braves before the Padres fell to the Yankees in the World Series. Petco Park, the team’s home since 2004, has become a cornerstone of downtown San Diego’s identity, blending bay views with a genuinely intimate ballpark experience. The franchise changed hands again this year, with new ownership taking over on May 4, 2026.
The 2026 Season: A Slow Start, a Red-Hot Finish
This year’s Padres team tells a classic second-half story. Sitting at just 50-53 in late July, San Diego caught fire down the stretch, finishing the regular season at 91-71 and clinching a playoff berth for the third consecutive season with a win over the Dodgers on September 24. The team enters the postseason as one of the hottest clubs in baseball, powered by a deep bullpen anchored by closer Mason Miller and a lineup featuring Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackson Merrill.
The San Diego Padres pose for a team photo after defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card baseball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The Wild Card Sweep: Padres Over Cubs
San Diego wasted little time dispatching Chicago in the Wild Card Series, winning both games by a combined score of 12-1. The Padres’ pitching staff held the Cubs’ majors-leading offense to just eight hits across the series, while San Diego’s own bats racked up 21 hits and four home runs, closing out the series behind a dominant bullpen performance.
A Historic Moment: Baseball’s Youngest Postseason Catcher
This postseason run has already produced a genuine piece of baseball history. Ethan Salas, the Padres’ 20-year-old rookie catcher and top prospect, started behind the plate in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Cubs — becoming the youngest player ever to catch a major league postseason game, breaking a record that had stood since Atlanta’s Bob Didier did it in the 1969 NLCS. Salas, who was only called up when rosters expanded on September 1, also became the youngest player in MLB history to record an RBI in his postseason debut. It’s a milestone that’s added an extra layer of excitement to San Diego’s playoff push, with one of the game’s most hyped young prospects already making his mark on the biggest stage.
Up Next: The Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS
San Diego’s reward for the sweep is a date with the Milwaukee Brewers, the top seed in the National League and the hottest team in baseball for most of the second half. The Brewers present a serious test, led by Jacob Misiorowski, this year’s Cy Young front-runner, who led the majors with 252 strikeouts and carries a 0.80 WHIP into the postseason. The season series actually favors San Diego, however — the Padres won four of their six regular-season meetings with Milwaukee, including a sweep at home in August.
Game 1 of the best-of-five NLDS is set for Saturday, October 3, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, airing on FS1, with the series shifting to San Diego’s Petco Park for later games.
The Petco Park Experience
For San Diego residents and visitors alike, a playoff run means Petco Park itself becomes part of the story. Located in the East Village neighborhood downtown, the ballpark is known for its open-air design, bay and skyline views from the upper decks, and the famous “Park at the Park” grass berm in center field — a favorite spot for families to watch games picnic-style. During a postseason run, the surrounding Gaslamp Quarter and East Village typically come alive with watch parties, making it one of the more electric times of year to be in downtown San Diego, whether or not you have tickets to the game itself.
Fun Facts About the San Diego Padres
- The name has a deeper San Diego connection than most fans realize. “Padres” is Spanish for “fathers,” a reference to the Franciscan friars who founded California’s mission system — including Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first mission in California, established in 1769. The name ties the team directly to the city’s earliest history.
- The Padres existed long before they were a major league team. A minor league version of the Padres played in the Pacific Coast League starting in 1936, decades before the franchise joined MLB as an expansion team in 1969.
- Baseball legend Ted Williams got his start in San Diego. Before becoming one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, Williams — a San Diego native — played for the original Pacific Coast League Padres as a teenager in the 1930s.
- Petco Park has a 1909 building built right into it. The Western Metal Supply Co. building, a historic brick warehouse in the ballpark’s left-field corner, was incorporated directly into Petco Park’s design rather than torn down — its rooftop now serves as premium seating, and its position has become one of the park’s signature architectural features.
- One of baseball’s most famous closer entrances belongs to the Padres. Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman’s entrance to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” became one of the most recognizable traditions in the sport during his record-setting career as San Diego’s closer.
- The Padres’ uniforms have gone through more color changes than almost any team in baseball — from their original brown and gold in 1969, through several blue-and-orange eras, to today’s brown throwback alternates, which have become a genuine fan favorite.
What a Padres Playoff Run Means for San Diego
Beyond the scoreboard, a deep playoff run tends to galvanize the entire city — restaurants and bars across downtown, North Park, and the coastal communities fill up for game nights, local businesses lean into Padres pride, and the sense of civic energy spreads well beyond baseball fans. It’s one more reminder of what makes San Diego such a distinctive place to live: a city-wide identity built around sunshine, community, and a genuine love of the outdoors, whether that’s a day at the ballpark or a weekend at the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the San Diego Padres make the 2026 MLB playoffs?
Yes. The Padres clinched a playoff berth on September 24, 2026, finishing the regular season at 91-71 and qualifying for the postseason for the third consecutive year.
Who do the Padres play in the 2026 NLDS?
The Padres face the Milwaukee Brewers, the top-seeded team in the National League, in the NLDS, with Game 1 on Saturday, October 3, airing on FS1.
Have the Padres ever won a World Series?
No. The Padres have reached the World Series twice, in 1984 and 1998, but have not won a championship.
Where do the San Diego Padres play?
The Padres play at Petco Park in downtown San Diego’s East Village neighborhood, their home ballpark since 2004.
Who are the most famous players in San Diego Padres history?
Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman are widely considered the franchise’s most iconic players, both having their numbers retired by the organization.
Who is the youngest catcher in MLB postseason history?
Ethan Salas, a 20-year-old rookie with the San Diego Padres, became the youngest player ever to catch an MLB postseason game when he started Game 2 of the 2026 Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, breaking a record set in 1969.
How did the Padres do against the Brewers this season?
The Padres won four of their six regular-season games against the Brewers in 2026, including a series sweep in August.
Love San Diego enough to root for its team — why not call it home too? Contact the Jason Barry Team to explore living in the city behind this year’s playoff run.