Expert recap and game analysis of the San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers MLB game from September 23, 2026 on ESPN.

The Dodgers score six of their seven runs with two outs in an inning, and eight relievers combine on a five-hit shutout in a 7-0 win. The Dodgers’ magic number to secure a top-two seed in the NL playoffs is down to one.

San Diego is one win away from clinching an NL wild-card berth, while Los Angeles looks to lock up a first-round bye as Nick Pivetta faces Tyler Glasnow.

The Padres didn’t clinch on Wednesday night. But they can still do so on Thursday -- and they might not even need to take the field to do it. San Diego took another step toward the playoffs on Wednesday with a 5-1 victory over the Dodgers.

LOS ANGELES — A quad injury cost Jason Adam the chance to help the Padres in last year’s NL Wild Card Series. The team is intent on seeing what the 35-year-old veteran can provide this time around. Out since late June with a shoulder injury,

The San Diego Padres have a magic number update, Ty France nearly retired before this season and the pitchers for the remainder of their series are set.

Manny Machado homered and drove in three runs as the Padres beat the Dodgers 5-1 in Los Angeles, reducing their magic number to one for a National League wild card spot. Fernando Tatis Jr. added three hits as San Diego sits atop the NL wild card, one game ahead of the Cubs and Phillies. Elsewhere, Josh Naylor's 10th-inning single lifted the Mariners over the Astros 6-5, while the Yankees rolled past the Rays 9-2 behind Ryan McMahon's grand slam and Ben Rice's two solo homers.

Coming off a strong outing against the Giants, Tyler Glasnow searches for consistency in his final regular-season start