NEW YORK -- In so many ways, the Padres’ three-game series against the Mets at Citi Field this week felt like a pseudo-playoff series. And, hey, maybe they’ll be able to draw on that experience in a couple weeks when they’re playing a National League Wild Card Series on the road. Because it sure looks like that’s where this is all headed.

San Diego dropped two of three at Citi Field this week, capped by a 6-1 loss on Thursday afternoon. The Dodgers won’t play until late Thursday night, but the Padres’ deficit has now grown to 2 1/2 games -- and L.A. owns the tiebreaker. The Cubs, meanwhile, have recently run away with the top Wild Card spot.

Barring something unforeseen in the NL West race, the Padres seem destined to begin their postseason on the road -- probably against those Cub

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