The 2024 San Diego Padres know how to deliver. The stadium was louder, the pregame intros seemed to stretch on for an eternity, and the stakes? Higher than a kid on a sugar rush; especially during their 4-0 victory in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. Michael King was exceptional on the mound, using a mix of pitches to keep Braves hitters off-balance. From the moment the first pitch zipped across the plate, it was clear this wasn’t just another game. He had already silenced any concerns about his workload with a solid 2.15 ERA in the second half of the regular season, but on Tuesday, King elevated his game even further.

Michael King’s dominance proved he was ready for the postseason spotlight. The Padres’ choice to hand Game 1 to Michael King was a bold move that raised some eyebrows. This was a player who had just finished his first complete season as a starter and had never started in the postseason. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old right-hander accepted the challenge. He was a crucial component of the historic trade for Juan Soto last December. “He was incredible”, King’s catcher Kyle Higashioka described his lone previous playoff experience—mop-up duty in the 2020 ALDS: “The playoff atmosphere clearly juiced him up and got the best out of him.” 

In his first postseason start, King became the only pitcher in MLB history to strike out twelve batters without giving up a run or a walk. Luis Arraez ignited the crowd by working a full count and hitting an opposite-field single as the anticipation grew. Subsequently, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s moment arrived when he took the field for the first time in front of actual postseason fans rather than the cardboard cutouts from 2020. As Tatis replaced him, the 47,647 spectators—the largest ever at Petco Park—erupted in cheers. Tatis crushed the pitch, launching it into the second deck of left field. It was estimated to be 415 feet high. The Padres were cruising toward a crucial victory, pushing a struggling Braves team to the brink

‘All the Small Things’ Michael King and the Padres did that turned them into a winner

Throughout the short history of the best-of-three Wild Card Series, the home team that prevailed in Game 1 has always gone on to win the next two games. Tatis’ impressive blast set the tone, but it was more than enough offense for Michael King, who was utterly dominant on the mound. Catcher Higashioka added to the scoring with a sac fly in the second inning and a solo home run in the eighth, providing insurance runs that solidified the Padres’ commanding lead.   

San Diego’s pitching staff has depth, as evidenced by Jason Adam’s eighth-inning strikeout of the side in his postseason debut, making history. Then, in the ninth, Robert Suarez secured the win as Petco Park went wild with joy. A remarkable environment was created when Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge threw out the ceremonial first pitch, adding to the enthusiasm. Two hours later, the entire ballpark joined in singing his famous song, ‘All the Small Things.’

The Padres have been on a roll, leading the MLB following the All-Star break with a 43-20 record – attributed to their effective pitching, timely hitting, and contagious upbeat energy. Carrying that momentum into Game 1 was crucial, and now, it’s imperative they maintain it as the team pushes deeper into the postseason. Do you think this could be a special run for the Padres as well as Michael King? Let us know below.