Padres All-In But Can They Compete Against the Dodgers?

Manny Machado has been in San Diego for 2 years now and they believe this is their best chance at a title. Last season was seen as a disappointment but this season is looking different. They were the most active team during trade deadline acquiring players like Mike Clevinger, Trevor Rosenthal, and Mitch Moreland to name a few. They even acquired Jason Castro from sellers, Los Angeles Angels.

San Diego Padres Logo

Padres Flying Under Radar

The San Diego Padres are currently second best in the National League with a 23 – 15 record, only trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is worth noting that the Dodgers are 5 games ahead but the Padres are definitely hanging in there.

Of course it doesn’t matter who finished first, it only matters who wins in October. If the Padres finish within the top 3 in the League standings then they will have a date set for the NLCS. But if the Padres finish below that mark then they will set up a meeting with the Dodgers in the NLDS.

One thing is for sure, if the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres meet up in the playoffs, it is going to be the most note-worthy series. What are the odds of the happening? Actually, pretty high.

Winners of the Trade Deadline

The San Diego Padres only got better after the trade deadline so they have separated themselves from the pack and put themselves with the likes of the Dodgers. Yes, they are still underdogs but they definitely have a chance to take them out.

The Padres have actually scored the most runs in baseball with 222 runs scored. But they have given up the most runs from any of the top 13 teams in the major leagues. Their run differential still sits at a nice +50 mark. The Dodgers, however, have the best run differential at +94.

The Dodgers were inactive at the trade deadline, only dealing Ross Stripling to the Blue Jays. Ross Stripling had been struggling this year but definitely has the stuff to be a premier starter.

Pitching Duels

But the Dodgers can deal without them. Their rotation currently consists of Dustin May, Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Tony Gonsolin.

The Padres definitely worked to fix their pitching issues by adding stellar starting pitcher Mike Clevinger who currently has a 3.18 ERA. Trevor Rosenthal is also going to provide some much needed stability in the bullpen.

Who is our pick to win a series in October? It has to be the Dodgers still. They are way too deep to bet against them. But the Padres are definitely good enough now to beat them with a little bit of luck.

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