The San Diego Padres' bats finally woke up on Tuesday night—but unfortunately, their pitching couldn't keep pace. In a game that saw the Friars plate four runs, typically enough for a win behind their strong staff, the night ended in frustration.
San Diego jumped ahead 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, but starter Matt Waldron immediately surrendered five runs to the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom half. While some bad luck played a role, it was a rough finish for a pitcher who had been on a solid run—allowing just four runs over his previous 10 innings. That recent success now looks like a brief bright spot, as Waldron's inconsistency may open the door for newcomer Lucas Giolito to take his spot in the rotation.
Offensively, there were real signs of life. Miguel Andujar drove in two runs with a solo home run and an RBI double, giving the lineup a much-needed spark. If San Diego can build on that production in tonight's game, it could mark a major turning point for a team that has struggled to find its rhythm at the plate.
On the other side, Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski continues to do what he does best: throw gas. The young phenom has been even better than last season, with his fastball run value jumping from the 63rd percentile in 2025 to the 86th percentile in 2026. Through his first eight games, he owns a stellar 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, anchoring a Brewers rotation that keeps Milwaukee competitive in a tough NL Central division.
For the Padres, tonight's matchup features their own ace—Michael King. He's been every bit the frontline starter San Diego hoped for, posting a 2.76 ERA over 45 2/3 innings, leaning heavily on his sinker and changeup. In his last outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, King spun a gem, allowing just one run over six innings. If he can replicate that performance against a Brewers club that has struggled to score, fans could be in for a classic pitcher's duel.
Manager Craig Stammen loaded up his most offense-friendly lineup, sliding Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base to make room for Nick Castellanos in right field. It's a bold move designed to generate runs—something the Padres will need plenty of if they want to turn these offensive sparks into consistent firepower.