First pitch: 8:40 p.m. ET
Venue: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
Probable starters: RHP Casey Mize (Padres, 5-9, 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 107 SO in 119.1 IP) vs. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (Rockies, 12-9, 5.30 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 84 SO in 137.2 IP)
TV: Padres.TV / Rockies.TV (and streaming options such as Fubo)
This is Game 1 of a four-game series. The Padres sit second in the NL West and are firmly in the Wild Card hunt (on a strong recent run). The Rockies are last in the division and headed toward another 100-loss season.
Weather Forecast
Warm with a chance of showers or thunderstorms. Temperature around 84–89°F at first pitch (high near 89°F), cooling to the mid-50s overnight. Light winds (around 4–10 mph, variable directions). Precipitation chance ~20% during the day/evening, which is typical for Denver and could lead to brief delays. Coors Field’s thin air will still favor offense.
Injury Reports
Padres
Miguel Andujar (DH/OF): 10-day IL (wrist)
Gavin Sheets (INF/OF): 10-day IL (foot)
Jeremiah Estrada (RP): 15-day IL (shoulder)
Longer-term (mostly 60-day): Joe Musgrove, Lucas Giolito, Jason Adam, Bryan Hoeing, Ramón Laureano, Luis Rengifo.
Rockies
Willi Castro (INF/OF): 10-day IL (foot)
Kyle Freeland (SP): 15-day IL (neck)
Sean Sullivan (SP): 15-day IL (shoulder)
Longer-term (mostly 60-day): Kris Bryant, José Quintana, Chase Dollander, and multiple other pitchers.
Both teams have notable absences in the rotation, bullpen, and lineup depth.
Current Rosters / Projected Approaches
Padres: Lineup centered on Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, and supporting pieces. Mize has been effective overall this season (strong WHIP) despite mixed results since joining San Diego.
Rockies: Expect contributions from Hunter Goodman, TJ Rumfield, Ezequiel Tovar, Jake McCarthy, and others filling around injuries. Sugano has volume but struggles with the long ball and consistency, especially of late.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Mize vs. Rockies hitters: Mize owns a solid ERA and excellent command. Coors inflates numbers, but his ability to limit hard contact and generate strikeouts gives him a chance to keep the Rockies in check.
Sugano vs. Padres hitters: Sugano allows a high rate of home runs. Tatis Jr., Machado, and Merrill (hot recently) present major threats in a park that boosts power. Left-handed bats have particularly punished him.
Recent Team Forms
Padres: 5-0 in last 5 and on a seven-game winning streak (sweeps of Nationals and Giants). Offense and pitching have clicked; they are pushing hard for a Wild Card berth. Away record 35-39.
Rockies: 0-5 in last 5 and on a seven-game losing streak. Pitching ranks among the worst in MLB (team ERA ~5.57); offense produces runs at Coors but defense and pitching undermine them. Home record 30-41.
Series History
Padres lead the 2026 season series significantly (roughly 8-1 or 9-1 in recent reports). San Diego has dominated recent matchups, including wins at Coors earlier in the year. Head-to-head totals often go over due to the park.
Betting Trends
Trends heavily favor the Padres due to form, quality gap, and season-series dominance. High totals are standard at Coors.
Game Odds
San Diego Padres – 195
Colorado Rockies 11
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, September 13, 2026
