The Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 on Saturday afternoon. So, before first pitch of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Padres knew they no longer had a chance to host the National League Wild Card series.

If they have to go to Wrigley Field, they might as well take a hot offense with them.

San Diego jumped all over Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez, ripping three home runs in the first two innings and cruising to a 5-1 win that also may have given us a glimpse into what their playoff pitching rotation might look like.

Fernando Tatis Jr. seems to be getting hot at the right time. He hit a grand slam on Friday night and unloaded on the second pitch of the game, depositing it into the top level of the Western Metal Supply Building in left field for a leadoff home run.

Luis Arraez followed with a single. He wasn’t on the bases very long because Xander Bogaerts saw what Tatis Jr. did and thought, “that looks like fun, let me try it, too.” Bogaerts also hit a towering bomb into the top level of the Western Metal building, a two-run shot to put the Friars on top 3-0 after three hitters.

Elias Diaz joined the fun in the 2nd inning with a two-run blast of his own, giving starting pitcher Michael King a cushion that he wasn’t around very long to to enjoy. King only threw 49 pitches, allowing one hit, striking out three, and walking a pair before bring replaced by Yuki Matsui. Nothing is wrong with King physically. The most likely reason for the truncated outing is he’s going to be starting Game 2 of the NL Wild Card series.

Nick Pivetta is the Game 1 starter but manager Mike Shildt declined to share who they’re putting on the mound after that. But, King’s short outing means he’ll be fresh and ready to go by Wednesday’s Game 2 and since Shildt said he’s comfortable with King working up to around 75 pitches, and with the best bullpen in the game to back him, it’s feasible that the Padres Opening Day starter will be their second man out in the playoffs.

First, they have one more game at Petco Park on Sunday afternoon. JP Sears gets the start against the Diamondbacks, trying to give the Friars a little more momentum heading into the second season.