The San Diego Padres wrap up a regular season home date against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Petco Park. First pitch is set for 3:10 PM ET, with Randy Vásquez toeing the rubber for San Diego opposite Arizona's Michael Soroka. With the calendar winding down on the 2026 regular season, every game carries weight in the standings, and this one is no different. Catch it on Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health or ESPN 620 AM.

Pitching Matchup: Randy Vásquez vs. Michael Soroka

Randy Vásquez gets the ball for the Padres in what figures to be a meaningful late-season start. Vásquez has shown flashes of quality stuff throughout his major league tenure — a lively fastball and enough secondary offerings to keep hitters off-balance. The 26-year-old right-hander will need to attack the Arizona lineup and generate early outs to keep San Diego's bullpen fresh this deep into September.

On the other side, Michael Soroka draws the assignment for the Diamondbacks. Soroka's career has been defined by resilience — he's battled back from significant injury setbacks — and he's a pitcher who works efficiently and keeps the ball in the yard. He won't overpower you, but he'll make you beat him. The Padres will need disciplined at-bats to crack his approach.

San Diego Starting Lineup

• Dustin Harris — RF
• Manny Machado — 3B
• Ty France — 1B
• Gavin Sheets — DH
• Austin Hays — LF
• Jake Cronenworth — 2B
• Freddy Fermin — C
• Sung-Mun Song — SS
• Jase Bowen — CF

Keys to Watch in Sunday's Game

Manny Machado Sets the Table

Batting second, Machado remains the heartbeat of this lineup. When he's engaged and driving the ball to all fields, the entire order benefits. His at-bat quality directly influences how much damage the middle of the lineup — France and Sheets — can do.

Ty France and Gavin Sheets in the Heart of the Order

France hitting third and Sheets cleaning up at designated hitter gives San Diego a legitimate right-handed punch in the middle of the lineup. Soroka will be tested if either of these two get on base in the same inning with any consistency. Their ability to do damage against a pitch-to-contact arm like Soroka will be a defining factor.

Vásquez's Command and Early Innings

The Padres don't want to burn their late-inning options unnecessarily at this point in the season. If Vásquez can attack the zone early, limit walks, and work deep into the game, that's a win in itself regardless of the final score. His command will be the story to watch from pitch one.

The Bottom of the Order

Fermin, Song, and Bowen occupy spots seven through nine, and those at-bats matter. Turning the lineup over with runners on base — or getting on base themselves to set up Dustin Harris at the top — could make the difference in a tight game.

Prediction

This shapes up as a low-scoring afternoon at Petco Park. Both Vásquez and Soroka figure to keep runs at a premium, and the game may well come down to one big inning or a late sequence in the bullpen. San Diego's lineup has enough to scratch out a win at home. Give the edge to the Padres, 3-2.