Padres hold flexible plan for Michael King's next start

San Diego would only use Michael King in the regular-season finale if that game decides a playoff berth, otherwise saving him for Wild Card Series Game 1.

The San Diego Padres have not settled on when Michael King will make his next start as the regular season winds down. According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, citing comments from Craig Stammen, the right-hander would take the ball in the regular-season finale only if that game determines whether San Diego reaches the postseason.

If the Padres have already clinched but remain in contention for home-field advantage, King would be held back rather than pitch that final game. In that scenario, he would line up to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

King, 31, has made 31 starts this season, posting a 12-9 record with a 3.03 ERA and a 133 ERA+. In his most recent outing, he gave up two earned runs on seven hits over a road start against the Colorado Rockies, striking out six in a 9-2 victory.

San Diego sits at 87-69 through Tuesday, four games inside the National League wild-card picture. The Los Angeles Dodgers have already wrapped up the NL West, leaving the wild card as the Padres' route into October. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies currently hold the other two wild-card positions, with Arizona 4.5 games back of the final spot.