San Diego was eliminated Wednesday night at Petco Park, falling 3-1 to the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series and losing the best-of-five set, 3-1. It was a series defined by thin margins and bad breaks, from Ty France’s drive that caromed off a panel in Milwaukee’s roof to Jackson Chourio’s game-winning single in Game 2.

The result extends a frustrating pattern for the franchise. Over the past three postseasons, the Padres have yet to get past the Division Series. They won the Wild Card round in 2024 and again this year but were bounced in the Wild Card round in 2025.

The Padres’ last three postseasons

Source: MLB.com postseason history

There is a new wrinkle this time. This is the first Padres season to end under new ownership, following the sale of the franchise to José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. That makes the offseason their first major baseball test: whether to stay the course with the current structure or make the kind of changes needed to keep the club from falling short in October again.

Machado: “Two more inches”

The night’s defining moment came in the eighth inning. With San Diego trailing, Manny Machado turned on a 106.7 mph line drive that traveled 406 feet to center field, a ball that looked like the game-tying homer. Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell tracked it to the wall and caught it at the fence. According to ESPN Insights, it was the first time since records began in 2004 that a player had a game-tying or go-ahead homer taken away in the eighth inning or later of a postseason game.

“It was unlucky, man,” Machado said afterward. “He made a great play. I should’ve hit it harder. Two more inches, and that ball’s probably a homer.”

Fernando Tatis Jr. chose to tip his cap to Milwaukee rather than dwell on the loss.

“The level of baseball played was so intense, so high,” Tatis said. “They play really good baseball, man. We’ve got to give them credit. Nothing but good luck to them, and I hope they stay healthy on the other side.”

A roster question that can’t wait

Beyond the sting of the moment, another early exit reopens a question that has hovered over the new front office since the summer: can San Diego keep carrying the contracts of both Machado and Tatis Jr. without October results to justify them?

According to Spotrac, Xander Bogaerts, Machado and Tatis Jr. represent major long-term commitments. Bogaerts signed an 11-year, $280 million deal. Machado’s is 11 years and $350 million, and Tatis’ is 14 years and $340 million. Machado holds a full no-trade clause, and Tatis has contractual protections that limit trade possibilities, according to reports from MLB.com and ESPN Deportes.

Tatis remains a centerpiece because of his production, and Bogaerts’ contract is another significant commitment. If the new owners decide to reshape the payroll, Machado could become a name to evaluate, though any deal would have to clear his no-trade clause. For now, that remains part of the broader analysis of the decisions San Diego faces.

After three straight postseasons ending in disappointment, the message to ownership is hard to miss: holding steady is no longer a sustainable option. The choice between a deeper rebuild and a retool around their two stars gets harder with every winter that passes without real October progress.

Who are Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.?

Machado was born July 6, 1992, in Miami and debuted in the majors in 2012 with the Orioles before signing with San Diego in 2019. A seven-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, he is one of the two biggest names on the Padres’ roster.

Tatis, a Dominican native born Jan. 2, 1999, debuted with the Padres in 2019 and has become the face of the franchise, with three All-Star selections and a Gold Glove. He is signed through 2034 on a 14-year, $340 million extension.

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