The San Diego Padres return to Petco Park on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to host the Washington Nationals in a 6:40 PM local first pitch. Casey Mize takes the ball for San Diego against Washington's Riley Cornelio in what shapes up as an intriguing late-season pitching matchup. With the regular season winding down and every game carrying real weight in the standings, this is not one Padres fans will want to miss. Catch it locally on Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health or on the radio at KWFN 97.3 and XEMO 860 (Spanish).
Padres vs. Nationals Pitching Matchup: Mize Faces Cornelio
Casey Mize gets the nod for the Padres in this one. Mize, a former top overall draft pick with legitimate stuff, has the kind of arm that can keep a lineup off-balance when he is locating his splitter and working both sides of the plate. San Diego will need him to go deep into the game and limit free passes — the more he can keep the bullpen fresh this late in the year, the better positioned the club will be heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
On the other side, Riley Cornelio takes the hill for Washington. Cornelio is a young arm the Nationals have been developing, and he represents the kind of pitcher who can either be neutralized with a disciplined approach or make a lineup look foolish if they chase early. The Padres will want to work counts against him, get to the Washington bullpen, and do damage when they do.
Keys to Watch in Tuesday's Game
- Mize's command: Mize's effectiveness hinges on his ability to execute pitches at the edges of the zone. If he is sharp early, San Diego controls the tempo of this game.
- Padres lineup vs. a developing arm: Washington's Cornelio is still establishing himself at the big-league level. San Diego's lineup should look to be patient, run up his pitch count, and avoid chasing his secondary stuff out of the zone.
- Bullpen management: In September, every arm matters. Whoever is managing the back end of both bullpens will face decisions that could echo beyond Tuesday night.
- Home crowd energy: Petco Park in September has a different feel. A fired-up crowd at the corner of Tony Gwynn Drive and Park Boulevard can be a genuine factor, and the Padres have historically played well in front of their home fans late in the year.
Prediction: Padres Win a Pitcher's Duel
This game sets up as a low-scoring affair. If Mize brings his best, San Diego has the pitching edge in this matchup. The Padres lineup should find enough against Cornelio to manufacture a lead and hold it. Look for San Diego to take this one at home, 3-1, with Mize delivering six quality innings to give the Padres what they need on a warm Tuesday night in the Gaslamp Quarter's backyard.
