MLB Playoffs: Padres Make Decision on Joe Musgrove in NLDS vs Dodgers [Video]

The San Diego Padres’ season loosely followed the same trajectory as veteran starting pitcher Joe Musgrove.

Beginning with his outstanding return from an elbow injury in the Padres’ win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 12, the Padres had the third-best record (26-16) in the National League until the end of the regular season. That allowed them to clinch the league’s top Wild Card berth with relative ease.

Musgrove went 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA in his nine starts during that time; six of the 12 earned runs were allowed in a single game against San Francisco. In the other eight games, he had a 1.17 ERA — good enough to earn the starting assignment in Game 2 of the Wild Card series.

The veteran right-hander delivered, allowing only one hit and one run, walking none, and striking out four in the Padres’ 5-4 victory. But while his teammates celebrated …