The Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up a late-September road series against the San Diego Padres on Friday, September 25, 2026, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET at Petco Park. Brandon Pfaadt gets the ball for Arizona in a matchup that carries real regular-season weight this deep into the calendar. The Padres have not yet announced a starter, leaving the pitching equation one-sided heading into game day. Catch the action on DBACKS.TV or locally on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Brandon Pfaadt Takes the Mound for Arizona
Pfaadt is Arizona's assignment on the hill Friday, and at this stage of the season, every start from the right-hander matters. The D-backs are leaning on him in a meaningful spot on the road, which says something about where he stands in the rotation's trust hierarchy. Without a confirmed opponent on the mound from San Diego, Pfaadt's performance will be the clearest storyline to track from Arizona's side of the ledger.
Keys to Watch in Friday's Game
Pfaadt's Command and Pitch Mix
Petco Park is one of the more pitcher-friendly environments in the National League, with its deep dimensions and marine-layer air working in a starter's favor. Pfaadt will need to attack the zone consistently and keep San Diego's lineup off-balance. How he manages his pitch count through the middle innings will determine whether Arizona's bullpen gets a breather or gets tested early.
Diamondbacks Offense Against an Unknown Starter
San Diego not yet naming a starter is worth monitoring. Whether the Padres roll out a veteran arm or an opener/bulk combination, Arizona's lineup will need to stay disciplined early and not chase. D-backs hitters who can work counts and get into the bullpen sooner rather than later give Arizona the best shot at doing damage at Petco.
Road-Trip Execution
Playing on the West Coast late in September is never a throwaway situation for a team trying to finish strong. How the Diamondbacks handle their at-bats, manage the bases, and play defense behind Pfaadt will reveal a lot about where this club's head is as the regular season winds down.
- Watch Pfaadt's first-inning command — it tends to set the tone for his overall outings
- Monitor which San Diego hitters the D-backs elect to pitch around versus attack
- Bullpen availability and usage will matter if Pfaadt exits before the seventh
- Arizona's baserunning aggressiveness on the road could be a factor in a tight game
Prediction
Petco Park is tough, but the pitching advantage leans Arizona's way Friday simply because they have a known quantity in Pfaadt while San Diego's starter situation remains unclear. Pfaadt keeps the Padres in check long enough for the D-backs offense to scrape together enough runs to take a close one. Arizona wins, 4-2.
