NLDS Showdown: Padres Confident and Prepared to Take on Dodgers, Cease and Profar Speak Out

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As the Padres gear up to face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series, the confidence within the clubhouse is palpable. Coming off a high-energy stretch to close the regular season, the Padres are a team transformed from previous years. With Game 1 just hours away, players like Dylan Cease and Jurickson Profar addressed the media during a workout day press conference, offering a glimpse into their preparation and mentality going into the series. Manager Mike Shildt also provided valuable insights into the team's readiness and strategic approach.

Jurickson Profar On changing mentality against the Dodgers:

"There was a time when it was like, 'Oh, the Dodgers,' but now, we’ve been winning a lot of games against them. We are more prepared and more successful."

Shildt: Confident in the Team’s Depth
During the press conference, Shildt addressed the significant absence of Joe Musgrove, emphasizing the depth and capability of his pitching staff. “Replacing Joe Musgrove is a tall order,” Shildt acknowledged. “But the good news is we have people that we trust. We have a deep pitching group, and I can tell you we’ll be just fine and compete.”

Musgrove’s presence is missed not only on the mound but in the clubhouse, where he has been a vital leader. Shildt emphasized, “He’ll be in our hearts but won’t be with us on the mound,” showing his appreciation for Musgrove’s influence on the team.

Profar’s belief stems from the Padres' increased success against the Dodgers, a stark contrast to earlier years when the Dodgers seemed insurmountable. "There was a time when it was like, 'Oh, the Dodgers,' but now, we’ve been winning a lot of games against them," Profar explained. "We are more prepared and more successful, and that’s changed the way we approach them."

This shift in mentality is rooted in both experience and the team’s newfound confidence, forged through a playoff-like stretch at the end of the regular season. "Down the stretch, every game mattered. Every game was a playoff game," Profar said, recalling the intensity of recent series against both the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. "Those games were playoff games. They prepared us for now."

Cease: Ready for the Dodgers Again
Dylan Cease, set to start Game 1, echoed Profar's sentiments about preparation but spoke specifically about facing the Dodgers lineup, which he pitched against in his last regular-season start. "I’m not really looking at it any differently than last time," Cease said. "It gave me a look into what this will be like. Obviously, it will be more intense, but I see it as preparation."

Cease emphasized the importance of consistency in his mechanics, something he’s honed since his last outing. Facing hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts requires not just skill but focus. "You’ve got to mix it up and not leave it over the heart of the plate," Cease said about his strategy for Ohtani, while noting that he’s ready for the challenge that the Dodgers lineup presents.

Shildt echoed Cease's confidence, stating, “We feel confident about the two games that we have to begin with. We’ve got Cease going, and then we’ve got, obviously, Darvish going in Game 2.” Shildt's assurance in his pitchers reflects the overall preparedness of the team.

A Team That Fights Until the End
Profar pointed out that one of the Padres' strengths has been their ability to grind out long at-bats, wearing down opposing pitchers. "We’ve got guys that are really, really tough outs, 1 through 9," Profar said. "It’s a good job by the front office putting this group together."

This lineup, from Luis Arraez setting the tone at the top of the order to Profar batting behind him, embodies the Padres' resilient, fight-until-the-end mentality. "If he goes, we go," Profar said of Arraez. "He’s a hitting machine, and he always puts together great at-bats."

Shildt also recognized the collective effort that has led to the team’s success this season, emphasizing the importance of every player contributing to the identity of the team: “It’s through a lot of different ways. Our players have bought into whatever it takes.”

Looking Ahead: Game 1
With the Dodgers looming, Cease and Profar's words carry the weight of a team that’s grown from its past experiences. Their preparation is grounded in the belief that they belong on the biggest stage. Cease, with his mechanics locked in, and Profar, carrying the team’s newfound confidence, are ready to lead the Padres into a rematch that feels different from the ones before.

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