Padres manager Mike Shildt sure knows how to uplift his players. In the middle of a Cy Young-level season for Nick Pivetta, the Friars manager is not putting all of his confidence into him. He's also falling back on Michael King, who probably needs more support than Pivetta.
Michael King was rising to the top as one of the best pitchers in the National League. He was a Game 1 starter for the Padres in the 2024 playoffs, and he was also the Opening Day starter this season. That train of success was moving along nicely at the start of this campaign, as he held a WHIP under 1.