Robbie Ray gets nod in Game 1 against Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers

As a result of San Diego's quick work of Chicago, the Padres had two days off to rest and prepare for their NLDS matchup with the Brewers. That also allowed time for San Diego manager Craig Stammen and his staff to look at the rotation and the best way to get the most out of that group to give them a chance to win and advance to the National League Championship Series against the winner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.

The prevailing thought, at least among much of the Friar Faithful, was that Buehler would take the mound in Game 1 and depending on how the game went, Stammen and the Padres would lineup their starters for the remainder of the series accordingly. That thought was put to rest on Friday when it was announced that trade deadline acquisition Robbie Ray would get the ball in Game 1. The left-hander has had an up-and-down tenure in San Diego since being acquired from the San Francisco Giants, but he is an established veteran with many years of experience and an American League Cy Young Award (2021) on his resume.

Ray had a season record of 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA in 22 games with the Giants, making him one of the top trade candidates at the deadline this year. The addition of the left-hander and former Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize was considered one of Padres general manager A.J. Preller's most successful deadlines in his tenure in San Diego. Since being acquired, Ray has a record of 3-2 with a 5.02 ERA in nine games. He also had 57 walks and 107 strikeouts with San Francisco and has 27 and 33 in the same categories with San Diego.