It Really Doesn't Get Better Than What Michael King Just Delivered For The Padres In His First Ever Postseason Start

Orlando Ramirez. Getty Images.

October baseball baby, drink it in. The first day of the MLB postseason was highlighted by starting pitching. Tarik Skubal, Corbin Burnes, and Cole Ragans all delivered gems for their teams. The one who topped them all though? That'd be San Diego's Michael King. How's 7 shutout innings, 12 strikeouts, and no walks in your first ever postseason start? This was a masterclass. 

When you trade for Juan Soto you don't care what it takes to get him, and that still rings true, but man did it hurt at the time to trade Michael King. When Yankees fans saw his name in the deal they winced. His potential was through the roof if he could stay healthy as a starting pitcher. You gotta give up a haul if it means getting Juan Soto and San Diego made sure to gets theirs. When you pair King's electric stuff with his genius pitching brain you get a monster. On Tuesday night Atlanta's offense learned that first hand. He generated swings like the one below all night long. 

About as fun of a pitcher to watch when he's on. Guy had a great first year in San Diego after coming over from the Yankees and he continued that in Game 1. That was incredible. Confidence on a whole different level, wiffle ball pitches aplenty, and his k strut stunting all over the Braves. I was so happy watching King and Higgy (HR) have the nights they did for San Diego. 

While I have you here, quick shout out to what Tarik Skubal did today in Houston. The 2024 AL Cy Young was a monster in this one. The man was in complete control as the Tigers stole Game 1. 

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Tigers, Royals, Mets, and Padres all win on the first night. Wednesday should be awesome with teams like Houston and Baltimore having their backs up against the wall. Kinda sucks that some series are strictly during the day and won't have the juiciest of crowds like what we saw in San Diego, but there's nothing like playoff baseball. This is only the beginning.