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Padres' Nick Pivetta: Has rocky first spring start
Rotowire
Pivetta completed two innings in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.
Pivetta gave up a triple in the first inning but held Cincinnati scoreless. However, he was touched up for three runs in the second frame as a result of issuing two walks and giving up two hits. Pivetta threw just 22 of 38 pitches for strikes, but a rough outing near the start of spring for a veteran pitcher shouldn't cause fantasy managers to be concerned. The right-hander is coming off arguably his best MLB campaign and is locked in near the top of San Diego's rotation for 2026.
Pivetta took the loss in Tuesday's game against the Cubs after surrendering two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out nine batters across five innings.
The right-hander allowed just one baserunner through the first four innings of Tuesday's contest, but a pair of solo homers from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly to lead off the fifth put Chicago in front. Pivetta struck out the next three batters he faced to finish his start; however, a shutdown performance from the Cubs' bullpen kept the Padres behind for the rest of the game. It was a reassuring performance from the 32-year-old after he finished the regular season by giving up six runs in 10.1 frames, but San Diego will now need to win two straight games at Wrigley Field for Pivetta to have any chance of facing the Brewers in the NLDS.
Pivetta will draw the start in Tuesday's Game 1 matchup with the Cubs in the wild-card round, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Pivetta will take the mound as the Padres' postseason run begins Tuesday, earning the nod after posting a 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 190 strikeouts over 181.2 innings in 31 starts this season. The right-hander has surrendered six runs on 11 hits and five walks, while striking out 10 batters over 10.1 innings in his last two outings. Pivetta previously matched up with the Cubs twice in April, combining to pitch nine innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits and four walks, while punching out 10.
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