BREAKING: Nick Pivetta to pitch Opening Day
San Diego finally tabs ‘25 ace to start against Skubal
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres pitches during a Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s official. Nick Pivetta will start for the San Diego Padres this Thursday.
They’ll put up their best fight on Opening Day against fearsome lefty Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers as they seek to return to the postseason for the third year in a row. Pivetta will be the fourth starting pitcher in as many years to take the mound for San Diego’s Opening Day. The unicorn year Pivetta will pitch on March 26 for the Friars after having the best season of his career last year.
Pivetta and Padres fans were waiting for manager Craig Stammen to announce the Opening Day starter. If Pivetta can retain anything from last year, the starting rotation will be a lot closer to elite than it is now. There’s obviously upside, tremendously so, but it’s shaky.
Pivetta has never had an ERA below 4. 00 until last year’s 2. 87 mark.