The San Diego Padres needed stability in 2025. Injuries tore through their rotation, roles shuffled weekly, and the team searched for a steady arm that could carry them through the grind of a long season. They found their answer in an unlikely place: Nick Pivetta.
Pivetta, a 32-year-old right-hander who had bounced between Philadelphia and Boston earlier in his career, arrived in San Diego with questions about whether he could be more than just a back-end starter. By the time the regular season ended, he had not only silenced the doubts but had delivered one of the best single-season pitching performances in Padres history this century.
A season of dominance
Pivetta quickly became the anchor of San Diego’s rotation. He finished 2025 with a 13-5 record, a sparkling 2.87 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.985. Those numbers placed him fifth in the National League in ERA and second in WHIP, an indication of just how tough he was to hit and how rarely he allowed free passes.
Beyond the numbers, Pivetta gave the Padres exactly what they needed most: consistency. Fifteen times during the season he held opponents to one run or fewer, giving San Diego a chance to win every time he took the mound. His ability to neutralize lineups, even in hitter-friendly ballparks, helped keep the Padres afloat during stretches where the offense struggled.
Ranking among Padres greats
San Diego has seen its share of standout pitching performances since 2000, from Jake Peavy’s Cy Young season to Blake Snell’s dominance in 2023. Pivetta’s 2025 campaign now sits comfortably among those elite years.
Jake Peavy, 2007: Cy Young winner with 240 strikeouts and a 2.54 ERA.
Blake Snell, 2023: 6.5 bWAR, 234 strikeouts, and the National League’s top pitcher.
Nick Pivetta, 2025: 5.3 bWAR, 2.87 ERA, and one of the best WHIPs in baseball.
By every measure, Pivetta’s season belongs in the conversation with the very best. While he may not have captured a Cy Young, his dominance, value, and steadiness make his year unforgettable for Padres fans.
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Playoff stage awaits
The reward for Pivetta’s stellar season is the opportunity to open the postseason. He was named the Game 1 starter in the Wild Card Round against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. It will be his first postseason appearance since 2018, when he was with the Boston Red Sox.
For Pivetta, this start represents more than just a playoff opportunity. It’s a chance to redefine his career arc, shifting from journeyman to centerpiece. The Padres, who endured plenty of uncertainty on the pitching side throughout the year, now turn to the man who gave them dependability when they needed it most.
From question mark to ace
Nick Pivetta’s rise in 2025 is one of baseball’s most surprising storylines. Once seen as a talented but inconsistent pitcher, he has transformed into a frontline starter on a playoff team. His performance not only earned him a spot among the greatest Padres pitching seasons of the century but also positioned him as a leader for the franchise heading into October.
If the Padres are going to make a run, they’ll need their rotation to hold firm. With Nick Pivetta leading the way, San Diego knows it has at least one arm it can trust in the most important games of the year.
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