Michael King may be making his final start for San Diego ahead of the July 28 trade deadline
Category: Local News
The San Diego Padres will host the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 9:40 p.m. ET at Petco Park, as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive and potentially make a major roster move. Michael King, the Padres' right-handed ace, might be making his last start for the team before the MLB trade deadline, which is set for July 31.
Currently, the Padres hold a record of 53-53, placing them third in the National League West, and are 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot. In stark comparison, the Rockies are languishing at the bottom of the division with a 42-65 record, marking them as the worst team in the National League this season. The stakes are high for the Padres, who have a 22.6% chance of making the playoffs according to the SportsLine Projection Model and are favored at -224 in the betting odds against Colorado, which sits at +184.
The Padres are coming off a sweep against the Miami Marlins, which marked a much-needed recovery after a series of disappointing performances earlier in the season. They have struggled to maintain consistency, suffering through multiple losing streaks that have left them out of playoff contention for much of the year. Conversely, the Rockies are in a familiar position, having improved slightly from last season but still projected to finish with a dismal record.
Michael King, who re-signed with the Padres on a three-year, $75 million deal, has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for San Diego. With a 3.24 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 21 starts, he has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in July where he has a 1.96 ERA. His recent performances have raised questions about whether the Padres might opt to trade him before the deadline, especially since he has the option to opt out of his contract after this season. King has not faced the Rockies in 2026 but had a standout performance against them last year, throwing a complete-game shutout.
On the opposing side, Michael Lorenzen has struggled significantly this season, as evidenced by his 6.53 ERA. He has pitched well in some recent outings but has also been prone to giving up big innings, which could be problematic against a Padres lineup looking to capitalize on his weaknesses. Lorenzen’s recent form includes a rough outing against the Washington Nationals, where he allowed six earned runs in just 3.2 innings, raising concerns about his ability to handle the pressure of a game against a rival team.
This matchup is not just about the current standings; it also highlights the broader dynamics at play within both organizations. The Padres, who have made the playoffs four times in the last six seasons, are at a crossroads. General manager A.J. Preller has aggressively pursued talent to build a championship contender, but the results have been underwhelming. The team has sacrificed many prospects, including Leo De Vries, who is now one of the top prospects in baseball, in trades for established players like Juan Soto.
On the other hand, the Rockies are attempting to rebuild after a disastrous 2025 season that saw them finish with 119 losses. They have made some strides this year, particularly offensively, where they rank fifth in OPS. Hunter Goodman has emerged as a potential trade asset, hitting 31 home runs this season, which puts him in the running for the league lead. Nonetheless, their pitching staff remains one of the weakest in the league, which has hampered their progress.
The Padres need to sweep this two-game series to maintain any realistic hope of reaching the playoffs. They have faced tough competition in the NL West, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by 14 games. As the trade deadline approaches, the decisions made in the coming days could shape the future of the franchise, with speculation swirling around potential trades that could either bolster the team or signal a rebuild.
Looking ahead, the Padres will continue their home stand with another game against the Rockies on July 29, where they will face Gabriel Hughes on the mound. Following this series, they will host the San Francisco Giants for four games, a series that could prove to be a make-or-break stretch for their playoff aspirations. The Padres must win and do so convincingly to build momentum and confidence.
As for the Rockies, they will need to regroup quickly. Their upcoming matchups will likely determine whether they become sellers at the trade deadline, particularly concerning players like Goodman, who could fetch a substantial return if the team decides to move him. With the trade deadline just days away, the implications of this series could resonate throughout both franchises well into the future.
The Padres are hoping to build on their recent success against the Rockies, having won eight of their last nine meetings. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the team's performance tonight could dictate their approach as the trade deadline hangs large.