San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King will likely start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Padres manager Mike Schildt said that after Dylan Cease starts Game 1, Yu Darvish will likely go in Game 2, and King will go "soon thereafter," insinuating a Game 3 start for the righty. King was dominant in his first postseason start, striking out 12 batters in seven innings of shutout ball against the Atlanta Braves. King has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde type pitcher against the Dodgers this season. He's faced them four times, and in two of those he's been dominant (12 innings of shutout ball), and in the other two he's been crushed (10 runs, seven earned in just over eight innings pitched). The good news for Padres fans is the two blowups happened early in the season, with one being a long-relief appearance in South Korea. King may be a risky DFS play in his start, as current Dodgers have hit him for a .326 wOBA and a .366 xwOBA. Those willing to take a risk on him in DFS should know there's likely a bit of volatility in this matchup.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King was locked in for Tuesday's wild-card Game 1 4-0 win over the Braves. King pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and no walks with 12 strikeouts. The 29-year-old's performance made him just the third pitcher ever to record at least 10 strikeouts with no walks in his first postseason start. King had a great first season with the Padres, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 27.7% strikeout rate. He should be a fantasy target in 2025, and his stock could jump even higher if he gets more post-season opportunities to impress.
Michael King To Start Wild-Card Opener Against Braves
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will get the nod for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Petco Park. Right-hander Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game series. In his first season in San Diego after coming over from the New York Yankees via the Juan Soto blockbuster trade, King went 13-9 with a sharp 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 outings (30 starts). The 29-year-old is hot coming into the playoffs, too, and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his 11 starts in the second half of the season. In four starts in September, he gave up seven runs (four earned) while walking six and fanning 24 in 23 innings. Tuesday's big start will be King's first against the Braves this year, a club that has had trouble scoring runs at times without Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Austin Riley (hand).
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King bounced back in a big way in Tuesday's victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a rough outing last time out, King fired six scoreless innings to improve to 10-6 on the season. King allowed seven hits in the contest, but walked zero batter and recorded 10 strikeouts. King was the big name that came over from the New York Yankees for Juan Soto this offseason and overall has performed to a high level with his new team. On the season, King has a healthy 3.19 ERA to go along with 10.71 K/9 and 11 quality starts. He has also pitched exclusively as a starting pitcher for the first time in his career and has thrown a career-high 135 1/3 innings. At this rate, the only concern for managers would be his innings pitched, but the 29-year-old hasn't shown any signs of fatigue and managers should remain confident in the right-hander. Next up for King will be a date versus the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (calf) is listed as the team's starting pitcher for their contest in Pittsburgh on Wednesday against the Pirates. King had his last turn through the starting rotation skipped due to left-calf soreness after he was hit by a line drive. The 29-year-old appears good to go now, though, and will slot back in on Wednesday. King's last start came on July 27 against the Baltimore Orioles, when he allowed only two earned runs with nine strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings for his ninth win of 2024. He has had a quality start in four of his last five outings for the Friars and has been useful in most fantasy leagues in his first year in SD with a 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 144 K's in 124 1/3 frames over his 22 outings (21 starts). The Pirates have the fourth-lowest team OPS in baseball, so King should be thrown back into starting lineups when he toes the rubber on Wednesday.
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt says that starting pitcher Michael King (calf) is "a little sore from the comebacker he took in his last start and he needs a couple of extra days", so his next turn in the rotation will be skipped in Sunday's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. King was hit by a 109-mph comebacker in the left calf in last Saturday's start against the Baltimore Orioles on the game's first batter before throwing 6 1/3 strong innings. With King having already tossed a career-high 124 1/3 innings in 2024, the Padres are in no hurry to rush him back into the rotation. King played catch on Friday, and his issue doesn't seem to be a long-term concern. Although the 29-year-old right-hander will miss a favorable matchup at home against the last-place Rockies on Sunday, King tentatively lines up to make his next appearance against the depleted Miami Marlins at some point next weekend.
Michael King Strikes Out Nine In Saturday's Win Over Baltimore
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (9-6) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He picked up his ninth victory of the season. The 29-year-old threw 101 pitches, landing 66 for strikes. King has struck out at least five or more hitters while posting a 1.82 ERA over his previous four starts. He owns a 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 144: 45 K: BB across 124 1/3 innings. King will look to continue his impressive run in his next start on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (8-6) was the "King of the Hill" Sunday afternoon picking up the win and a quality start after tossing seven one-run innings allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts and one walk in a close 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. King carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning before allowing a bloop single off the bat of Angel Martinez and another single to Jose Ramirez. Ramirez was tossed out at second base after trying to sneak an extra base after a long throw from right field to third base. The lone run allowed then came in on a Josh Naylor ground out. The 29-year-old hurler has been excellent in his last four starts in which he hasn't allowed more than one run in all four starts to some power house teams in the Red Sox, Rangers, Mariners, and Guardians. In the last month and a half he's lowered his ERA from 4.31 to a stellar 3.28 ERA on the season. His next opponent will be no walk in the park either with a matchup against the Baltimore Orioles on the road set for next weekend.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King tossed seven innings of one-run ball en route to earning his eighth victory of the campaign. He allowed just two hits and one free pass. He struck out six. King carried a no-hitter into the seventh but allowed a leadoff single to Angel Martinez. Martinez would then score on an RBI groundout, courtesy of Josh Naylor. The 29-year-old has now posted four straight strong outings as he entered Sunday riding a 1.56 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across his past three starts. In his first season as a starter, King has flashed elite upside at times but has had a few growing pains. The right-hander should remain in all lineups going forward and is a high-upside play in DFS.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King tossed six innings of one-run ball on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed five hits, one free pass, and struck out six. King's one mistake came off a solo shot by Boston outfielder Jarren Duran in the sixth inning. This was a big bounce-back for the 29-year-old right-hander as he allowed five earned runs in his previous start. In his first season as a full-time starter, King has posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 39:115 BB:K ratio through 99 innings. King has shown elite strikeout potential and should be started in most leagues in his next start on Friday, July 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Michael King
• SP
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Padres
