Jacked Up Highlights

Last week we talked about the Padres being like Apollo 13 and how their new pitcher, Casey Mize, was like the exploding oxygen tank that nearly sent Apollo 13 spinning off into space.

Apollo 13 had an oxygen tank explode, sending them whirling through space, and it was only through the extraordinary skill of Tom Hanks that they even survived. The Padres’ exploding oxygen tank is the pitcher they got at the trade deadline for one of their top prospects: Casey Mize.

At this point, I picture the Padres bullpen sitting around before the game drawing cards to see who gets to blow it today. Time for the bullpen to STEP IT UP. I know, I know. The Padres bullpen has been lights out for most of the season. They’ve been one of the reasons this team is even in the playoff race.

This is it. We’re in September. The Padres and Diamondbacks are separated by half a game for the final NL Wild Card spot. Every game matters. Every inning matters. Every at-bat matters.

Call FEMA. I’d like to report a disaster. The Padres got swept by the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend, and Sunday’s finale was a certifiable disaster. A clown show of errors culminating in one of the strangest plays you’re ever going to see in a baseball game.

The NL Wild Card race is getting crazy. Arizona refuses to go away. The Diamondbacks beat the Giants 10-6 last night, and with the Padres losing to Tampa Bay, Arizona is now just HALF A GAME behind San Diego for the final NL Wild Card spot.

We’ve been on Jackson Merrill the last couple blogs. Apparently he reads JackedUpSportz. You’re welcome, Padres fans. Merrill finally stepped it up Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI triple, a walk and a run scored as the Padres shut out the Pirates 3-0.

JUS BLOG — AUGUST 26, 2026 PADRES, READING THE JUS BLOG IS NOW REQUIRED Someone needs to tell the Padres that reading the JUS Blog every morning is required. Put it in their contracts.

In all the years since MLB introduced the runner-on-second format for extra innings, I’ve never seen a home team have such garbage at-bats when winning the game was on the line.