{"id":470203,"date":"2026-09-20T19:02:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T19:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/470203\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T19:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T19:02:39","slug":"padres-pregame-ethan-salas-first-pairing-with-walker-buehler-seeking-fifth-straight-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/470203\/","title":{"rendered":"Padres pregame: Ethan Salas’ first pairing with Walker Buehler, seeking fifth straight win"},"content":{"rendered":"

As he showcased with a walk-off single, Ethan Salas continues to settle into his role as a third catcher for this postseason run.<\/p>\n

Up next on the to-do list: Catch Walker Buehler.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old catcher is catching the veteran right-hander for the first time as they look to extend their winning streak to five games and secure a second sweep against the Marlins.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s first pitch is at 1:10 p.m. on Padres.TV.<\/p>\n

Good morning \ud83d\udc9b pic.twitter.com\/NBFtykzRTo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Salas\u2019 10th-inning, pinch-hit single was his first hit to not go for extra bases, as he tripled for his first career hit in San Francisco and homered twice earlier in the week in Denver.<\/p>\n

Salas is hitting .154\/.154\/.462 with four RBIs, no walks and seven strikeouts through 26 plate appearances.<\/p>\n

Behind the plate, the pitching staff\u2019s ERA in 40 innings with Salas (3.83) compares to that of Freddy Fermin (3.94 ERA, 648\u2154 IP), Luis Campusano (3.91, 430 IP) and Rodolfo Dur\u00e1n (4.01, 246\u2154 IP).<\/p>\n

Among Padres starters, Salas has so far worked with Nick Pivetta (3 runs in 54 plate appearances), Robbie Ray (3 runs in 24 plate appearances) and Casey Mize (4 runs in 18 plate appearances).<\/p>\n

Salas will bat ninth on Sunday as the Padres continue to look to get him acclimated in the majors while testing his viability as a postseason roster option.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to navigate, you know, is not throw too much at him too fast, but also get him in some places where he\u2019s gonna have to feel a little bit of pressure and the big league pressure, and then see how he performs,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said after Salas\u2019 walk-off heroics on Sunday. \u201cAnd so far, he\u2019s passed every test, and there\u2019s a few more tests left to go in the season. But we feel really good about him being a big piece of what we\u2019re trying to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the rest of Sunday\u2019s lineup, the Padres will give Manny Machado (.718 OPS) his second DH day of the weekend, which in turn gives Jake Cronenworth a second start at third base in three days.<\/p>\n

The Padres appear to be making sure Cronenworth is comfortable bouncing around the infield as he\u2019s the likely backup at three infield spots in the postseason as Sung-Mun Song is 0-for-4 with three strikeouts since rosters expanded in September.<\/p>\n

The Padres could activate Miguel Andujar as soon as Tuesday after Triple-A El Paso\u2019s season finale on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Cronenworth (.608 OPS) will bat seventh, followed by left fielder Samad Taylor (.830 OPS).<\/p>\n

Fernando Tatis Jr. (.819 OPS) will get another start at second base and Dustin Harris (.769 OPS) will start in right field.<\/p>\n

The Padres are tied with Cubs for the No. 4 seed at 86-69 to start Sunday, one game ahead of the Phillies.<\/p>\n

The Padres lost both season series to the Cubs and Phillies and will need to finish ahead of them in the standings to earn the No. 4 seed and home-field advantage in their NL Wild Card Series.<\/p>\n

The Padres are also five games ahead of the Diamondbacks and can clinch a third straight postseason berth with any combination of four wins or Arizona losses over the final seven games of the season.<\/p>\n

That puts their postseason odds at 96.7%, according to FanGraphs.com.<\/p>\n

Here is how the Marlins (76-79) will line up looking for their first win over the Padres this season:<\/p>\n

Finale from San Diego<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: https:\/\/t.co\/CoO4Nlpkc8<\/a>
\ud83d\udc42: @MarlinsRadio<\/a>, @radiomambi710<\/a>, 560 WQAM
\u23f0: 4:10 PM ET#FightinFish<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2c9gny8R4E<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-10, 3.86 ERA)<\/p>\n

He entered the weekend leading the majors in innings (206) and hits allowed (195). Alcantara had an 8.02 ERA during a four-start losing streak (21\u2153 IP before coming out of the bullpen Wednesday for his first career save. Alcantara has a 3.38 ERA in seven career starts against the Padres, including two last year (11 IP, 6 ER).<\/p>\n

Here is how Alcantara has fared against current Padres:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Walker Buehler (8-6, 4.58 ERA)<\/p>\n

He\u2019s allowed three runs or less in 11 straight starts (3.31 ERA), although he\u2019s completed at least five innings in just seven of those starts. Buehler has a 3.79 ERA in eight career starts against the Marlins, including a no-decision this year (5\u2153 IP, 3 R, 2 ER).<\/p>\n

Here is how Buehler has fared against current Marlins:<\/p>\n

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