Padres closer Mason Miller joined Friar Friday this week, relieved to have the trade deadline behind him and staying in San Diego. "Once it's over, you can settle in," he said, and focus on the final two months of the season.
Miller described the closer role as a constant balancing act — stretches of heavy use followed by quiet spells — managed through honest, ongoing communication with coaches and trainers about his workload and how his body feels.
His fastball-slider combo remains his bread and butter, though he's steadily building confidence in his changeup, waiting for the right matchups to use it more. On staying grounded despite his dominance, Miller pointed to respect for opposing hitters: "confidence without being complacent."
He's also excited about the Padres' deadline additions to the rotation, which he hopes will ease the load on a bullpen that's carried the team much of the season — and gave a shoutout to reliever Jason Adam for the duo's between-innings scoreboard antics that give fans a look behind the curtain.
With the deadline dust settled, Miller and the Padres are locked in on one thing: a run at October.
