Deadspin | Padres' playoff quest continues vs. White Sox as division title hopes diminish

Sep 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Bryce Johnson (29) is tagged by Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth (10) at second base during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres appear likely to reach the postseason for the third time in four seasons, but they’re going to need to start doing things differently if they want their stay to be a long one.

The Padres (83-71) will look to build much-needed momentum when they continue a three-game series against the host Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.

San Diego has lost three of its last four games to fall four games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West with eight games to play. The Padres hold a three-game lead over the New York Mets for the second NL wild-card spot, however.

The White Sox (58-96) opened the series with a 4-3 win on Friday behind starting pitcher Davis Martin and Miguel Vargas, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning.

“These type of games mean a lot for us,” Vargas said, “especially against really good teams like they are. Just coming out here and competing and having the victory means a lot.”

Chicago snapped a six-game losing streak on Friday after three Chicago relievers limited the Padres to one hit over the final three innings.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to get on top of the game and play with a little more rhythm and be able to get a lead and add on and have some shutdown innings and bring the game home with the back end (of the bullpen),” San Diego manager Mike Shildt said. “I am confident it’s going to happen, but it needs to happen soon.”

Luis Arraez went 1-for-4 on Friday and is batting .375 (12-for-32) during an eight-game hitting streak for the Padres, who have trailed after the first inning in 11 of their last 32 games.

“If we want to do what we want to do,” San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth said, “we’ve got to start playing better baseball.”

Saturday’s pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers as the Padres’ Yu Darvish (4-5, 5.63 ERA) faces Chicago’s Yoendrys Gomez (3-2, 4.91). The White Sox are the third team this season for Gomez.

Darvish, 39, allowed three runs in five-plus innings in a 9-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies last Sunday. He has given up at least one home run in eight straight starts.

Andrew Benintendi is 3-for-6 with a home run against Darvish, who is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in eight career starts vs. the White Sox.

The 25-year-old Gomez is looking to build on a solid outing last Sunday, when he allowed two runs through five innings in a no-decision against the Cleveland Guardians in his team’s 3-2 loss.

“He was great,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “I thought the fastball was really good. When he throws strikes, he’s really effective. Usually there’s a ton of swing-and-miss, and he’s mixed it up really nicely. He’s been getting some good results.”

Gomez is set to make his second career appearance against San Diego. He pitched a scoreless inning as a member of the New York Yankees in a game against the Padres on May 24, 2024, and struck out the side.

Chicago second baseman Chase Meidroth will look to bounce back after going 0-for-4 on Friday, ending his career-high 13-game hitting streak. Rookie catcher Kyle Teel is batting .315 (29-for-92) with six home runs and 20 RBI over his past 26 games.

–Field Level Media