MLB Teams Plan Rookie Starters for Critical Postseason Games

As the 2025 MLB postseason approaches, the San Diego Padres have announced Nick Pivetta as their Game 1 starter in the wild-card round against the Chicago Cubs, with Pivetta showcasing strong season stats including a 2.87 ERA and 190 strikeouts. The Padres' Randy Vasquez has also emerged as a potential postseason contributor after impressive recent performances, improving his command and potentially earning a spot in the playoff rotation or bullpen. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are preparing for next season by starting Kyle Leahy for the first time in his career as a step towards filling rotation gaps, given uncertainties around current pitchers and offseason moves. The Los Angeles Dodgers, facing either the Cincinnati Reds or New York Mets in the wild-card series, have hinted that Shohei Ohtani might start Game 1, leveraging his dual-threat ability as a pitcher and hitter, with the team considering using him in multiple roles during the postseason. These strategic pitching decisions across teams highlight the importance of rotation depth and adaptability as the playoffs begin.