Padres' New Batting Lineup Could Remain Amidst Manny Machado's Injury
Even though we are super happy for our guy Manny Machado making some big business ventures and investing in San Diego's newest professional soccer team, we hate to see that wrap around his hand.
After positive reports initially came out that getting hit by a pitch only resulted in some bruising, he underwent an MRI and cat scan that revealed a hairline fracture. He refuses an IL stint for now but he still is listed as day-to-day and the Friars have had to adjust in the process.
They have toyed around with two different lineups in the games that the 30-year-old star has sat out but I believe that the one they rolled out in their Wednesday night outing against the Kansas City Royals should be the one they stay with in the meantime.
Jake Cronenworth could definitely continue to find success in that number two spot while you have Xander Bogaerts, who is trying to find his bat again after a hot 2023 start, leading off everyone.
Cronneworth was able to go two for three during his trips to hit and was able to also connect on their only homer of the game so maybe he can continue that production in that slot.
Placing Fernando Tatis Jr. also gives him the opportunity to drive in more RBI's and continue to get comfortable in his first season back from suspension. I still view him as the x-factor for this squad because his energy and approach to each game sets the tone.
And finally, Juan Soto should remain where he has performed his best this season by far. He's been one of the lone bright spots on this squad recently and outside of a few mediocre games, he's found his swing again.
"Juan Soto doesn’t want to bat second. He doesn’t like it. He desires more time to assess the pitcher. He likes the opportunities he believes a hitter gets batting third. He is more comfortable there.After trying to force him into the No.2 spot for half of the season’s first 26 games, Soto hasn’t hit there since. He has batted third in 12 of the 17 games leading up to yesterday and fourth in the other five."
(Via The San Diego-Union Tribune)
A fiery Boston Red Sox squad is up next folks!
