Takeaways from Dodgers-Padres Game 3: San Diego is one win away from NLCS thanks to six-run outburst

The San Diego Padres have cemented themselves as the most dangerous team remaining in the postseason.

On Tuesday, a six-run second-inning scoring outburst propelled San Diego to a 6-5 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving the team a 2-1 lead in the National League Division Series. The Padres weren’t necessarily expected to make much noise this season after missing the playoffs last year, but a win on Wednesday will send them back to the NLCS for the first time since 2022. 

Here are three takeaways from San Diego’s win: 

Padres bullpen shows why the team spent heavily to assemble unit

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has never shied away from taking bold swings, and that was no different at the July 30 trade deadline. San Diego parted ways with several of its top prospects to acquire RHP Jason Adam and LHP Tanner Scott to add to the team’s already-formidable bullpen.

While the Padres sacrificed a significant amount of prospect capital, their relievers showed why the moves were necessary on Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Michael King struggled mightily after enjoying a brilliant postseason debut, allowing five runs, four of which came on a Teoscar Hernandez grand slam, in five innings with three strikeouts. Nevertheless, the bullpen, clinging to a one-run lead, was able to pick King up and shut down the star-studded Dodgers lineup.

Jeremiah Estrada, Adam, Scott and Robert Suarez combined to record the final 12 outs for the Padres, allowing just one base runner during that span while racking up six strikeouts. 

As long as the bullpen maintains its effectiveness, it’ll be hard for any team to beat the Padres in a series this postseason, especially considering that their lineup continues to provide plenty of run support. 

Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler was more impressive than his final line suggests

All things considered, Buehler pitched admirably for a player who allowed six earned runs on seven hits with one walk in five innings.

After turning in a scoreless first inning, San Diego ambushed the two-time All-Star during the bottom of the second. Buehler, who posted a 5.38 ERA in the regular season after missing 2023 to recover from Tommy John surgery, gave up six runs in the inning, capped off by a two-run homer from Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

It’s worth noting that Buehler’s defense let him down in the inning, with first baseman Freddie Freeman committing a throwing error when Los Angeles held a 1-0 lead.

Even so, the Dodgers, short-handed on pitchers, desperately needed more length out of Buehler to help save some of their key bullpen arms for Wednesday’s Game 4, and manager Dave Roberts opted to stick with the right-hander.

The decision was ultimately a wise one, as Buehler delivered a courageous effort to keep Los Angeles in the game. Buehler went on to retire the side in the third inning and worked around a leadoff single in the fourth to get out of the frame unscathed. Then, Buehler ran into more trouble in the fifth inning but got Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts to hit into a force out to complete his outing.

If the Dodgers win Game 4 and even up the series, Buehler’s performance on Tuesday could prove to be a key reason why.

Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to put on a show

If it wasn’t already apparent, Tatis is built for October.

As mentioned, the 25-year-old hit a two-run homer in the second inning as part of San Diego’s scoring barrage, which proved to be the difference in the team’s win.