Padres News: Bob Melvin Pinpoints Tough Schedule As Reason For Early Struggles

They've already faced a number of contending teams.

Considering all of the star power in which the San Diego Padres were able to compile over these past few seasons, it would have been a disservice to MLB fans if their early 2023 schedule consisted of them going up against some bottom-feeders in the league.

Of course the MLB world was hitting them with very unrealistic expectations once they saw their fabulous four take a picture together at Fan Fest and began pondering whether they would put double-digit runs a game. The pitch clock, shift ban, and just overall offensive adaptions have not been kind to the Friars to start off 2023.

Whole City Behind Us#PadresFanFest pic.twitter.com/KKiYInJY7k

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 5, 2023

The creators of this year's schedule definitely wanted to see what San Diego was made of early on though as they have faced the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets just 36 games into the season.

By no means should this be an excuse because if the Padres want to be the best, they must beat the beast but they have not been losing to many struggling teams by any means. Team manager Bob Melvin was brutally honest about this factor within the clubhouse and how it's impacted them.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was asked how much he’s missed the Padres/Dodgers games.

Tatis: “I’ve missed it a lot…it’s gonna be fun.” pic.twitter.com/IdoIR7R2dp

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) May 5, 2023

“We have not had the most ideal schedule,” Melvin said. “But, you know, it gets you battle tested early in the season and makes you fight a little harder. Nothing has come easy for us or continues to. But nothing is given against any major league team. We just gotta keep battling, trying to get ourselves right.”

(Via The San Diego-Union Tribune)

And whoever is standing on the other side should not change SD's approach to each ballgame. Video gimmicks should not be apart of anything moving forward and the Friars should solely be focused on getting a World Series rhythm in place.