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2026 Padre Season
#261 · July 13, 2026, 8:11 am
It seems like most Padres fans are bemoaning the fact that the team is at .500 entering the All-Star break; I think it is almost miraculous that they are even at that record considering all the injuries and unexpected underperformance by core players in the line-up, both everyday players and pitching.
If we get back a healthy Estrada, Adam and Morgan we are infinitely better from the right side of the bullpen to hold down the opposition. If we get one of two pitchers, Vasquez, Pivetta or Musgrove, to hold down at least one of the rotation spots behind King, we could benefit from a trade and a couple of our retreads returning to the form we expect them to have when we signed them in the off-season, i.e., can we get two of the following - Buehler, Giolito, Marquez or Canning to be at least close to major league average.
On the position player side, severely hurt by loss of Laureano and extended absences of Cronenworth, Campusano and Fermin, who I'm sure has had the same concussion problems that took Croney out for so long but still played. Let's say we get Croney and Fermin back around .240 and hitting at least major league average for their positions - here Campy should ensure that sharing the load with Fermin. Then we turn to the big 3 and expect that all 3 will rise to a much better 2nd half performance. Getting steady production from Bogaerts, Sheets, France and Andujar with a bench of Taylor and Song - add one other infielder or outfielder in trade and we should be much improved on offense in the 2nd half.
Too optimistic? I'm just saying there is, to me, a better than 50% chance we are in the playoffs again in 2026. And for you long-time Padres fans like me, how many years did we even have that much of a chance? Certainly, the first two series will help dictate that but even then, there is still a long ways to go to October. Enjoy the ride!
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#262 · July 13, 2026, 11:25 am
I dont know if bemoaning is the right word to describe at least my feelings on the W-L record. I think its more that there is something off about this team, this season. And I dont think there are trades that will make this season better than it is, a slightly above average .500 team.
So, while I always want the Pads to do the best that they can, I just dont want Preller to spend another bunch of prospects on trades that could be futile for this season.
As a long time fan as well, this has been a great run! Feeling like the playoffs are realistically in play every season is fantastic. But for some reason, this doenst feel like a season to go all in. Save the prospects for a different season, when things dont feel off.
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#263 · July 13, 2026, 2:55 pm
Given how bad the starting pitching has been lately I think 48-48 and 3.5 games out of the wild card at the break is a decent result. We've got 16 games left before the trade deadline which could play a large role in determining which direction the rest of the season goes. With 9 of those games being against 3 of the worst teams in the league in KC, COL and SF and the other 7 against teams they could end up battling for a wild card in ATL and MIA they have an opportunity to gain a lot of ground if they play well. If they do maybe AJ can find a starter or 2 to help stabilize things until our internal reinforcements make their way back. If they don't AJ may have to sell and getting those same arms back later doesn't matter.
We still have a chance and given the way this season has gone that's about all we can ask for. The hot start raised expectations. If you would have told me at the start of the year that Pivetta would only make 4 starts in the first half, that Musgrove would make 0, that Tatis, Machado, Merrill, Bogaerts, Cronenworth and Fermin would all deal with prolonged offensive struggles, that Laureano would likely be lost for the year and that our rotation would be such a mess I don't think I would have guessed we'd still be in the hunt. There are reasons for optimism and concern. We'll see how it all plays out.
#264 · July 13, 2026, 3:00 pm
If there was ever a year to stop and take a breather, this is it. Between the unexpected performance issues, new ownership and looming work stoppage, it's just time to reset. We should have enough coming back from IL to make a run if it's in the cards.
#265 · July 15, 2026, 9:43 am
I think these next 10 games or so coming out of the break will be huge in determining what path we take. I think we all know that as long as we're in striking distance, AJ is going to want to buy. I think it would take a pretty rough stretch to convince him to sell. With how much money we have committed long term to guys who are starting to show some signs of decline he has to try to take every opportunity to cash in when we've got a shot.
As long as we have decent results in the next handful of games I think the only thing to be determined is how aggressive he will be. We're currently in a slightly better position than we were in 2023 when he operated as a soft buyer. He's obviously been much more aggressive in better years.
#266 · July 17, 2026, 8:20 am
Just saw that we have the 4th easiest strength of schedule remaining. We also still have at least 1 series left with many of the teams we're competing with in the wild card race. We've got 7 games against AZ, 6 against MIA, 4 in ATL, and 3 against both PIT and WSH. We should also be helped by the fact that there are still 4 teams in the mix in the East and Central while 2 of the worst teams in the league are in the West. The opportunity for another strong second half run is there.
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#267 · July 17, 2026, 11:50 am
Yep...many of the teams ahead of us have a bunch of games with each other so they can't both win all of them.
But,nothing really matters other than how we do in our own games.
Can't sit back and hope everyone falls back to us.
We gotta just try to win each series here on out and we'll be fine.
Sounds easy...but with this team it obviously isn't
#268 · July 17, 2026, 2:51 pm
If the Padres win at least 2/3 of their remaining games(44-22), they will finish with at least 92 wins and a good chance to earn a playoff spot.
#269 · July 17, 2026, 3:54 pm
Offense is horrible but not all time horrible anymore so maybe they'll provide a little punch?
And if just half our reclamation projects on the mound can figure out a way to get through 5 innings??
Definitely don't want to see Preller trading Salas, Mendez, Schoolcraft, and Mayfield for a 40 year old SP who has only 3 months on his contract( okay, I exaggerate...but not by much!). If we do trade, guys like Adam, Peralta, Matsui( not to mention Cronenworth and Bogaerts!) should be top of the list.
#270 · July 17, 2026, 6:54 pm
Good to see Morgan, Vasquez, Estrada and Gutierrez (top AA pitcher) at the ACL team on rehab assignments. Hopefully, the start of strengthening the team for a play-off push. ACL season ends next Thursday, 7/23.