Manny Machado: The San Diego Padres’ road to the MLB postseason is looking tough, especially with the Los Angeles Dodgers dominating the NL West once again. While winning the division seems unlikely, the Padres still have a strong chance at securing a National League Wild Card spot.
But as October baseball approaches, the pressure isn’t just on the team—it’s falling heavily on one of their biggest stars: Manny Machado.
Manny Machado’s Postseason Struggles
Since joining the Padres in 2019, Machado has consistently been one of the league’s top third basemen. A perennial NL MVP candidate, he has become the Padres’ all-time home run leader and added multiple Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards to his resume.
However, Machado’s postseason track record tells a different story. Across his playoff career, he has hit just .215 with a .638 OPS. Critics often point back to the 2018 World Series, when Machado, then with the Dodgers, faced backlash for not hustling on a ground ball in the NLCS.
At the time, Machado didn’t shy away from addressing his style of play, saying:
“Obviously I’m not going to change. I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base.”
Padres Need Machado to Deliver in October
Padres fans have seen flashes of what Machado can do in October. In the 2022 postseason, he hit .271 with four home runs—his best playoff performance to date. That version of Machado is exactly what San Diego will need if they hope to challenge the Dodgers and make a deep postseason run.
With the franchise still chasing its first Commissioner’s Trophy, the spotlight will be brighter than ever on the Padres’ seven-time All-Star. Machado’s ability to translate his regular-season success into clutch postseason moments could be the difference between another early exit and a historic October for San Diego.
Also Read: MLB Playoff Rotation Rankings: Breaking Down the Top Pitching Staffs for October 2025
