The Latest Breaking News from Trent Grisham

Which team will advance from the National League to compete in the World Series? Our MLB writers make their picks.

Seventeen days ago, the Phillies got swept out of Chicago a few hours before the San Diego Padres lost for the fourth time in seven games. And in that moment, it was difficult to tell which team looked less like it actually wanted to make the playoffs.

SAN DIEGO — With one out in the top of the seventh inning, manager Dave Roberts called on Gavin Lux to pinch-hit for Austin Barnes.

SAN DIEGO — On the night of the franchise’s first home playoff game in front of a crowd in 16 years, San Diego Padres fans were treated to another sight that felt almost as rare.

SAN DIEGO — Petco Park was as full as it could be.

LOS ANGELES — Literally speaking, the Padres did not have to win Wednesday night.

If the Dodgers plan to turn their NL Division Series matchup with the Padres into a grainy rerun of their lopsided dominance of recent seasons, they could find themselves adjusting the foil-covered rabbit ears to sharpen the picture.

You’ve gotta admit, Buck Showalter’s asking the umpires to rub Joe Musgrove’s ears was the perfect way for the Mets to go out. It was the combination of dysfunction, desperation and unintentional comedy that has defined this organization pretty much since its inception 60 years ago. At ...

NEW YORK — There was more champagne. There will be more baseball.