Padres’ Mike Clevinger making triumphant return to start Game 1 vs. Dodgers

Mike Clevinger is back for the Padres in the NLDS.

The San Diego Padres navigated the Wild Card round by letting the entire pitching staff work its magic. Bullpen games were the norm in all three games against the St. Louis Cardinals and the plan worked.

The Padres are now in the NLDS and fans received quite the surprise Tuesday afternoon ahead of Game 1. Mike Clevinger is back and will be getting the start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sunshine is back for the Padres

The blockbuster trade to acquire Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians was done for moments like this one. The team needs an ace on the mound and Clevinger is just that.

Using bullpen games worked in a best-of-three series. But the arms would get burned out in this current best-of-five series set to be played without any days off.

The Padres remain without Dinelson Lamet and both Zach Davies and Chris Paddack had rough outings against the Cardinals. Clevinger is the true ace and will make his first start since September 23.

This season was not all sunshine for Clevinger. He made only four starts with the Indians as he served a suspension for violating COVID-19 protocols. He was then traded to San Diego and made three starts before leaving after one inning in his fourth.

Clevinger is now looking like the savior the Padres need. It took nine pitchers to complete the shutout of the Cardinals to advance to the NLDS. Having Clevinger go five or six solid innings can save the arms and also put the Padres in a great position to win.

The Padres ace is squaring off with Walker Buehler. The Dodgers starter went four innings against the Milwaukee Brewers last week and struck out eight batters before being pulled.

The San Diego offense will still need to show up. But having Clevinger back is a great sign and fans are now waiting to see if the trade was truly worth it.