LOS ANGELES – The Padres didn’t know Tuesday afternoon when they would celebrate their playoff spot.
But whenever it is, there is no doubt that they will celebrate.
“I learned very early on that in this game, you take every opportunity to celebrate,” pitcher Joe Musgrove said. “There are certain guys that aren’t going to make the playoffs for us, that aren’t going to be there, that aren’t going to be part of this group ever again, and they deserve to be able to celebrate and enjoy the moment that they’ve spent six months preparing for.”
The Padres’ next win will guarantee them a postseason berth. (If that doesn’t happen on Tuesday, there are other results on Wednesday or later that could secure the Padres a berth.)
Whenever the berth is secured, regardless of whether a division title is still at stake, the Padres plan to pop the champagne.
“We want the division, but I don’t think we’ll be celebrating any less because there’s still a lot to do,” Musgrove said. “Obviously we’re not going to get drunk when there are games left that matter. But it’s an incredible achievement and it deserves to be celebrated. How intense the celebration will be depends on the moment. I think we’ve got enough people here with their eyes on the prize to be able to take everyone with us.”
Kim Update
Ha-Seong Kim is expected to work at the Padres’ facility in Peoria, Arizona, for the next few days and then join the team at Chase Field on Friday.
Whether he will be activated then or for the postseason will become clear in the meantime as he continues to intensify his throwing program.
Kim has been out of action since Aug. 18, when he injured his shoulder while jumping back to first base, aggravating a shoulder problem he had been dealing with since last season.
If Kim returns, the Padres could have him play shortstop and move Xander Bogaerts back to second base. Or they could have Kim play second base so Bogaerts doesn’t have to move again. Platooning Kim with left-hander Jake Cronenworth at second base is also worth considering.
