NLDS Game 4: Padres host Brewers facing elimination, Buehler to start
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In brief
The San Diego Padres face elimination in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday at Petco Park, with Milwaukee leading the best-of-five series 2-1. First pitch is set for 10 p.m. ET on FS1, with Walker Buehler starting for San Diego while Milwaukee's starter was still undecided hours before the game.
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the San Diego Padres 2-1 in the 2026 National League Division Series heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, October 7, at Petco Park in San Diego. A Padres loss ends their season; a win forces a decisive Game 5 back in Milwaukee, according to MLB.com.
First pitch is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT), with the game broadcast on FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One, MLB.com reported.
How the series got here
Milwaukee won Game 1 and Game 2 by one run each before San Diego avoided elimination with a 4-3 win in Game 3 on Tuesday night at Petco Park, according to ESPN. Jake Cronenworth hit a go-ahead home run and reliever Michael King pitched the eighth and ninth innings to close out the victory.
ESPN reported that all three games of the series have been decided by a single run, and that Padres manager Craig Stammen said after Game 3: "It's going to be another fight, just like the first three games."
In Game 2, Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio delivered a two-run single off Padres reliever Mason Miller with two outs in the ninth inning, scoring Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick to secure a 4-3 Milwaukee win, ESPN's recap said. Milwaukee entered the series having finished the regular season 103-59, while San Diego finished 91-71.
Pitching plans for Game 4
The Padres confirmed right-hander Walker Buehler as their Game 4 starter, per MLB.com. The Brewers had not named a starter as of the latest reporting; manager Pat Murphy was considering left-handers Robert Gasser or Shane Drohan, or right-hander Chad Patrick, in what MLB.com described as a multi-pitcher approach rather than a traditional single starter.
Padres closer Mason Miller remained on the paternity list with his availability for Game 4 uncertain, MLB.com reported. Reliever Adrian Morejon was also dealing with shoulder fatigue, and outfielder Gavin Sheets, who was scratched from Game 3 with a stiff neck, had an unclear status for Game 4.
A full day of elimination baseball
Wednesday featured two ALDS Game 3s and two NLDS Game 4s across MLB, with the series leaders — the White Sox, Rays, Dodgers and Brewers — each one win from reaching their respective League Championship Series, according to CBS Sports and MLB.com. The Guardians, Yankees, Braves and Padres were all facing possible elimination on the same day.
October 7, 2026 Division Series schedule
Series
Game
Matchup
Series lead
Time (ET)
ALDS
Game 3
Guardians at White Sox
White Sox lead 2-0
4 p.m.
NLDS
Game 4
Dodgers at Braves
Dodgers lead 2-1
6 p.m.
ALDS
Game 3
Rays at Yankees
Rays lead 2-0
8 p.m.
NLDS
Game 4
Brewers at Padres
Brewers lead 2-1
10 p.m.
CBS Sports noted that the Yankees and Guardians faced particularly steep odds, each trailing 0-2 in their series. The Padres had forced Game 4 by winning Game 3, while the Braves remained alive in their series despite losing Game 3 to the Dodgers, who lead 2-1.
What's at stake
Neither the Brewers nor the Padres have won a World Series title, a point MLB.com highlighted in previewing the series. A Brewers win on Wednesday would send Milwaukee to the National League Championship Series; a Padres win would force a winner-take-all Game 5 in Milwaukee.
It's going to be another fight, just like the first three games.
— Padres manager Craig Stammen, after Game 3
Questions
Who leads the Brewers-Padres NLDS series entering Game 4?
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the best-of-five series 2-1 over the San Diego Padres heading into Game 4, according to MLB.com.
When and where is NLDS Game 4 between the Brewers and Padres?
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Petco Park in San Diego, with first pitch at 10 p.m. ET on FS1.
Who is starting Game 4 for each team?
The Padres named Walker Buehler as their starter. The Brewers had not announced a starter, with manager Pat Murphy considering a multi-pitcher plan involving Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan or Chad Patrick, per MLB.com.
What happens if the Padres win Game 4?
A Padres win would force a decisive Game 5 of the series in Milwaukee, per MLB.com.
Is Mason Miller available for the Padres in Game 4?
Miller remained on the paternity list, and his availability for Game 4 was uncertain as of the latest reporting from MLB.com.
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