Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim Keeping Daily Approach Simple as Playoff Hopes Dwindle

Everyday is another opportunity for this team!

With each passing day, the San Diego Padres path to the postseason starts to look murkier than ever. They have been playing catch-up in the standings the entire season, and at some point, that has to weigh on a team.

But with a little over a month left in the year, the Friars aren’t giving up. They want to continue to try and right the wrongs from the season, desperate to get back into contention.

Things may not have gone their way so far, but that doesn’t mean it will stay like that. If they can put together a few good weeks of baseball, they would have a chance to turn things around.

The key is to keep things positive and take each game, one day at a time. They can’t sweat the little things and can only control what they can control.

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim understands that their backs are against the wall, but that this team isn’t going to give up. It’s a collective mentality that the Padres have, and Kim spoke on this.

“As a team, we’re going into every single game as our last game,” Kim said, via interpreter Leo Bae. “Obviously, every game is important. That’s our mentality right now -- and tomorrow, as well.”

Per MLB.com

Kim has been a bright spot for this team, even during the darkest of times this season. His growth this year has been impressive, and he has helped keep this team alive in the playoff race.

For the year, Kim is hitting .280 with 17 home runs and 49 runs batted in. Despite all the star power of the Padres, Kim has taken center stage.

His importance to this roster can’t be overstated, and he showed it again in the team's win on Monday over the Miami Marlins. One person who was thankful for Kim was Padres pitcher Michael Wacha, who pitched another solid game Monday.

Wacha echoed a similar sentiment to Kim about the last part of the season for the Friars.

“Every game down the stretch here is important,” Wacha said. “I view them all as must-win games heading into this last month and a half. It’s time, for sure.”

Per MLB.com

It’s go time for the Padres. They don’t have the luxury of time on their side, so things need to start falling into place now. If it doesn’t, the team would become one of the biggest letdowns in recent baseball history.