San Diego Padres star Manny Machado has responded to criticisms from analyst David Ortiz after his team fell 2-0 behind in their division series.
Machado expressed confidence on Monday that San Diego can recover from the deficit in the best-of-five National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, emphasizing the squad's resilience despite being written off by critics throughout the season.
The Padres face elimination after star closer Mason Miller blew a ninth-inning lead against Milwaukee in Game 2 on Sunday. The late bullpen collapse allowed the Brewers to steal the victory and prompted Baseball Hall of Famer and Fox Sports analyst David Ortiz to declare on television that San Diego was finished.
Asked on Monday about the analyst's comments, Machado insisted to ESPN reporter Alden González that the Padres remain fully prepared to fight and reach their ultimate objective of winning Major League Baseball's championship trophy. Machado acknowledged that pursuing a title is not an easy job, describing the postseason as a difficult journey that requires teams to navigate constant adversity.
The veteran third baseman noted that Ortiz's remarks were hardly the first doubting comments directed at San Diego this season, stating that public skepticism had surrounded the team from all quarters all year long. He emphasized that the squad once again finds itself with its back against the wall, reminding reporters that the Padres have already overcome similar adversity in the past, possess the capability to do so again, and intend to repeat the feat.
David Ortiz forecast on Padres elimination
The gloomy assessment from Ortiz reflected the slim statistical odds facing San Diego as the series progresses. Speaking during the Fox Sports postgame broadcast following Sunday's Game 2 loss, the former Boston Red Sox slugger stated plainly that San Diego was supposed to win the contest, but asserted that they were now out and their season was over.
Addressing Padres stars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Machado directly, Ortiz expressed affection for both fellow Dominican players while maintaining that the outcome of Sunday night's game spoke volumes about San Diego's plight. Ortiz remarked that he personally wanted to remain in Los Angeles for further playoff coverage, but believed the team's performance signaled an early end to their campaign.
The analyst observed that San Diego was supposed to be flying home to California and dancing on their team plane on Sunday night, but instead let a crucial victory slip away in the final inning. Ortiz warned that dropping Game 2 leaves the Padres facing the daunting prospect of matching up against Milwaukee pitcher Jacob Misiorowski once again, calling that potential rematch their single biggest problem if they even manage to extend the series that far.
Ortiz concluded his broadcast commentary with a lighthearted jab, suggesting that someone on the roster would soon be landing in the Mexican resort city of Cancún for an early vacation.
Historical odds in Major League Baseball playoffs
Ortiz's premature eulogy highlights the steep historical challenge governing teams that drop the first two games of a Major League Baseball postseason series. Across the entire history of Major League Baseball, only 10 teams have ever successfully rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win a best-of-five playoff series.
The most recent club to accomplish the feat was the New York Yankees, who recovered from losing the first two games against Cleveland to win the 2017 American League Division Series. Every other team that has fallen behind 2-0 in a best-of-five matchup has ultimately been eliminated from the postseason.
Despite the overwhelming historical statistics stacked against them, Machado and the Padres maintain that their collective experience dealing with adversity throughout the regular season provides the necessary blueprint for a historic comeback.
Series schedule and Game 3 outlook
The National League Division Series now shifts from Milwaukee to San Diego for Game 3 on Tuesday. The Padres enter their home fixture at Petco Park facing an immediate win-or-go-home scenario, needing a victory on Tuesday night to prevent Milwaukee from completing a three-game sweep.
A victory for San Diego in front of their home fans on Tuesday would force a Game 4 in the best-of-five series. However, a loss would officially end the Padres' 2026 campaign and send the Milwaukee Brewers forward to the National League Championship Series.
Milwaukee holds a commanding 2-0 lead in the series after seizing momentum late in Game 2 behind Miller's ninth-inning breakdown. With their season hanging in the balance, Machado and his teammates return home on Tuesday determined to secure three consecutive victories and keep their championship dreams alive.
