Inside The Padres

MLB Writer Gives Padres a Fair Shot of a Turnaround to Make Playoffs

A storyline to definitely keep an eye on!

Noel Sanchez

MLB Writer Gives Padres a Fair Shot of a Turnaround to Make Playoffs
MLB Writer Gives Padres a Fair Shot of a Turnaround to Make Playoffs /
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The San Diego Padres have been an easy target this year this year for opposing franchises as they have not gotten off to the start that many experts were projecting. This was indeed supposed to be the year where SD was the star-studded, home run-heavy squad that won the NL West and left the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dust.

However, the adjustments period proved to be tough for the Friars in the first couple of months as not only was the bottom of their lineup struggling to get hits but so was the top of the lineup where all their sluggers were. Juan Soto was batting just .217 in the first month of the season why Manny Machado was only a bit higher at .233.

But things have been better as of late. Fernando Tatis Jr. has now had plenty of games under his belt to get comfortable again (especially in the outfield), Soto has stepped up his play at the plate, and Ha-Seong Kim is becoming elite in the infield. Even though the Friars currently sit at 31-34, they are not far off from the San Fransisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

So yes, it's going to take some huge levels of maturity and consistency for the Friars to really get going again so they can make the postseason but with an experienced manager and some of the best hitters in the game, The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli gives them a seven out of 10 chance to do so.

"The Padres were built around an offense — which also includes Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Boagerts — that has been largely underwhelming. This team has the talent to be scary if it ever gets hot and stays hot. It seems crazy to think the bats will stay this cold for 3 1/2 more months, but it’s also crazy to see San Diego still floundering under .500 with a .391 team slugging percentage."

The key here will be for San Diego to focus on the game/series in front of them and right now that is one against the Cleveland Guardians.

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Noel Sanchez
NOEL SANCHEZ

Noel is currently in his third year at California Polytechnic University of Pomona and is pursuing a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Multi-Media Journalism. He has always had a deep passion for sports and writing.

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