SAN DIEGO -- Hundreds of Padres fans packed the Park at the Park at the team's downtown stadium today as the West Division champs hosted a pep rally on the eve of their Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Channel 4 San Diego broadcasters Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant served as masters of ceremonies at the "Rally Monday" event, along with radio personality Darren Smith.

The first 2,500 fans received "rally towels," with all in attendance receiving a Padres "Mission October" cheer sign.

There also were live musical performances and drawings for several pairs of Division Series tickets and game-used items.

Similar events were taking place in the six other cities with Major League Baseball teams that have advanced to the postseason.

The Padres, who qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the franchise's 38 seasons in the National League, are set to begin the best-of-five series Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Petco Park.

After an off-day Wednesday, Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Petco Park, also at 1 p.m. Both games are sold out.

Game 3 will be held Saturday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Game 4, if necessary, would be played Sunday at Busch Stadium. Game 5 would be played next Monday at Petco Park.

Starting times have not been determined for Games 3, 4 and 5.

Some tickets are available for Game 5, according to a team official, and can be purchased online at padres.com or padresbeisbol.com, or, for fans in Mexico, by calling 877-Friar-Tix or 01-800-626-0026.

Tickets are not on sale at the Petco Park advance ticket windows or any retail outlets.

The Padres were 4-2 against the Cardinals this season, winning two of three games at Petco Park in May and two of three at Busch Stadium last Monday through Wednesday.

The Padres were swept by the Cardinals in a Division Series last season.

The Padres have lost their last seven postseason games, dating back to their four-game sweep by the New York Yankees in the 1998 World Series.