Dylan Cease scattered six hits. He walked two batters. Two more runners reached base via errors, including one on a high throw of his own.

But just one run scored during his five innings in the final start of what even he would call a disappointing walk year.

But the year’s not over yet.

“At the end of the day we’re here to try to win a World Series,” Cease said after the Padres’ 3-1 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday. “So if we do that, I’m going to feel very good about my year.”

He’d hardly be the first free agent to parlay postseason success into a big payday. He also throws flirts with triple-digits heat, has a wipeout slider and has more strikeouts (1,106) since the start of 2021 than any other pitcher in the majors, so he’s going to make money this offseason.

More pressing, of cou

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