Even with All-Star closer Mason Miller sidelined, the San Diego Padres managed to keep their season alive.
The Padres battled back in the NLDS by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday at Petco Park. This triumph marked their opening win of the matchup and ensured a Game 4 will take place on Wednesday.
They pulled off this crucial victory without the services of their elite bullpen weapon.
On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball authorized a roster modification for San Diego, placing Miller on the playoff paternity list. Consequently, he was sidelined for Game 3, prompting the Padres to swap him for relief pitcher Wandy Peralta.
The postseason in MLB is governed by strict roster regulations. Franchises have to lock in a roster prior to every series. Should an injured player be swapped out mid-series, they are sidelined for the remainder of that round and, should their club move on, the subsequent round as well.
However, Miller was placed on the postseason paternity leave list, which operates under distinct guidelines. Under these rules, he is permitted to be away for at least one day and up to three days. Upon his comeback, he can step back in for Peralta without facing any future playoff bans.
Miller stands out as one of the premier closers in the majors. This year, he secured a personal-best 38 saves over 66 games on the mound, registering a stellar 1.67 ERA.
The veteran 35-year-old Peralta provides San Diego with an additional left-handed option for relief duties. He participated in 65 contests during the regular season, recording a 3-3 record alongside a 3.61 ERA.
Despite the win, San Diego remains just one loss away from being knocked out of this best-of-five matchup. Both of the opening two contests were nail-biters, with the Brewers clinching each game by a single run.
During Game 2, Miller suffered a blown save when Jackson Chourio hit a game-winning single to center field, bringing home Sal Frelick and Christian Yelich to seal a 4-3 win for Milwaukee.
Following the Padres’ home-field triumph on Tuesday, the matchup moves forward with Game 4 this Wednesday in San Diego. Miller has the green light to rejoin the roster for this matchup, though it is still uncertain if he will be prepared to make his return.
