After dropping a series in New York, the Padres can clinch their next series with a win on Saturday over the Minnesota Twins.

First pitch is at 5:40 p.m.

Saturday night at the ballpark. pic.twitter.com/cCVXycoIGB

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 22, 2026

The Padres (69-60) had not lost a series since losing three of four in Atlanta in mid-July (20-23). They are an MLB-best 19-7 since then and have climbed five games in the standings to move into the NL’s third wild-card spot, a game ahead of the Diamondbacks and two games behind the Phillies, the current No. 2 wild-card team.

The Padres’ playoff odds have also surged from just over 7% to 58% as of Saturday, according to Fangraphs.com.

A win on Saturday would move the Padres 10 games over .500 for the first time since they were 31-21 at the end of the day on May 24.

Here is how the Twins (63-66) will line up for Game 2:

8/22 ⚾ Twins Lineup is Out!
Provided by mlbstartingnine (@DailyMLBLineups for link)

📊 Live Line: Twins +126 • O/U 8.0#Twins #TwinsLineup #MLB pic.twitter.com/WBvCkVfPeY

— MLB Daily Lineups (@DailyMLBLineups) August 22, 2026

 

Still pushing

Joe Musgrove (elbow) threw a bullpen on Saturday aimed at prepping him for his next minor league rehab start early next week at a to-be-determined affiliate. Afterward, he participated in pitcher’s fielding practice alongside the rest of the staff’s pitchers, including fellow rehabber Nick Pivetta (flexor).

Saturday marked the 131st consecutive day on the injured list for Pivetta, triggering a contractual clause that will allow the Padres to turn a $14 million player option for 2027 into a $14 million team option.

Pivetta’s focus remains on returning to the Padres this year. He threw two innings in the unofficial bridge league in Arizona on Thursday, has continued to play catch and is expected to throw another bullpen next week.

Pivetta has not appeared in an official rehab game since exiting his start with low Single-A Lake Elsinore after 14 pitches on Aug. 4 due to elbow discomfort.

“Based on his last outing (in Arizona), I think he’s going to get on a five-day schedule and try to ramp up to be a starting pitcher, and we’ll see,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “We’ll watch him every step of the way and determine if he’s ready to step into the rotation or if we want a different role for him.”

 

Saturday’s pitching matchup

Twins RHP Dean Kremer (2-4, 5.40 ERA)

The former Oriole has a 3.12 ERA in three starts (17⅓ IP) since the trade to Minnesota after beginning the season with a 6.50 ERA in seven starts after beginning the year in the minors and later managing a quad strain. Kremer has a 3.00 ERA in two starts (12 IP) against the Padres, the last in 2024 (6 IP, 4 R, 1 ER).

Here is how Kremer has fared against current Padres:

Padres RHP Casey Mize (5-7, 3.18 ERA)

He’s gone six innings in a pair of starts (2 ER) since allowing a career-high eight runs in 3⅓ innings in his Padres debut. The former Tiger has a 5.34 ERA in 12 career starts against the Twins. He lost a decision earlier this year, allowing five runs in 4⅓ innings on seven hits and three walks.

Here is how Mize has fared against current Twins: