Who will start NLDS Game 4 for Padres? Mike Shildt reveals the latest

With the San Diego Padres' dominant 10-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday, the Padres guaranteed that the series will last at least four games.

For the Padres, this raises a very crucial question: Who will start Game 4 of the NLDS?

Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove would have started Game 4, but Musgrove injured his elbow in the Padres' win over the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card round. Musgrove was removed from the game after just 3.2 innings. Later in the week, it was announced that Musgrove would have to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

With Musgrove unavailable, the Padres have three clear starters – Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish and Michael King. Darvish started Sunday and King will start Game 3 on Tuesday. Padres manager Mike Shildt was asked Monday whether he would consider starting Cease for Game 4 despite a shorter layoff, to which Shildt said of AJ Cassavell: “All options are on the table.”

Alternatively, if the Padres don't start with Cease, they could turn to Martín Pérez or their bullpen to pitch during Game 4.

If Cease does start, the Padres are hoping for a better performance from him than he did on Saturday. Cease struggled in his first postseason start for the Padres on Saturday. He gave up five earned runs in the first four innings, including a three-run home run against Shohei Ohtani. The Padres took Cease out of the game after 3.1 innings and the Dodgers earned a 7-5 win in Game 1.

“I just didn’t do it well and never found a rhythm,” Cease said of Cassavell about his pitch Saturday. “I have a few days to prepare and hopefully another chance. But it's definitely disappointing. … It definitely needs to get better.”

The 28-year-old hopes to get another opportunity to redeem himself this postseason, but will he be able to perform at his best on just three full days of rest?

Sheldt said the team plans to announce who will start Game 4 either later Monday or Tuesday.