Quote from Jeremy Hill on September 16, 2024, 6:16 am

3.5 back of the Dodgers with 3 games left against them and we own the tiebreaker. I wish they had some tougher teams left on the schedule. Outside of us they have 3 with the Marlins and 6 with the Rockies after they leave Atlanta. Still, we've at least put ourselves in a position to make it interesting. Just keep winning and keep the pressure on them.

Quote from brent wolff on September 16, 2024, 7:11 am

While winning the division would be awesome, not to mention it would be great to break the 10-year stranglehold the Dog-ers have had on winning the NL West division, however in the current playoff format, teams don't seem to recover from the extended off period that the top 2 teams in each league earn.  Agree or disagree with this thought process?  Go Pads!

Quote from 3fingersplit on September 16, 2024, 7:49 am

Having a break is a double edged sword for sure...time off to let all the bumps and bruises heal up some but players are a creature of habit and taking time off from a "Game" situation just throws off the Mojo and if you are hot going into the playoffs it's like throwing a pan of cold water on yourself...it takes a while to get heated up again...kind like running a mile...you run hard and at the pace that works for you for three laps and then you stop and rest for 1/2 a lap and start again...your pace is off and getting back up to that comfort zone takes too long and you don't have that kind of time...I think Dodgers...regular season win records and then a break and then vacation while other teams keep playing.

Quote from MrPadre19 on September 16, 2024, 10:21 am

At this point you just try to win every game and what happens happens.

If we win the division great....we'll deal with the layoff.

If not,we try for #1 seed and try to stay hot for a few more weeks

Staying healthy is the key right now IMO

 

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on September 16, 2024, 11:28 am

For as long as I have coached in various sports…Baseball, Wrestling, Lacrosse and Field Hockey, the one thing that has always separated teams from winning and coming up short is what I call the three “I’s”.,.Injuries, Illness and Ineligibility. The team that can navigate those three things and have the talent are usually around at the end.

Every team has injuries and that is where depth and roster construction comes into play…Illness is one of those things that you have very little if any control over and again the offset is depth and roster construction and Ineligibility is just a boneheaded and selfish thing that the player does that hurts the team and again it’s about death and roster and how to maintain the chemistry needed to succeed.

This Padres team has had all three of these and you have to give credit to AJ Preller for finding the right pieces, via draft, trades and free agent signings, credit Mike Shildt for making these guys believe in each other and having their backs and credit the players that have been able to put their own ego in check and not only play as one but also how to make their own teammates better.

2 weeks to go in the season and while the Padres are in a good position to be playing baseball in October for a chance to bring home a championship they need to keep that “win the game you’re playing today “ mentality and the rest will take care of itself. I don’t think there is a team in MLB…both leagues, that really want to see the Padres in the postseason because this team is capable of punching you in the mouth anywhere in the lineup, starting pitching that is a matchup nightmare that can throw zero’s and keep crooked number innings to an absolute minimum and a bullpen that is as close to a lockdown group as I’ve ever seen and then add in the guys that do all the little things that never show up in the box score…sac bunt, sac fly, base running and late inning defensive replacement…this team can do and has done all of these things. It has been so much fun to watch and hopefully they can bring it home.

Go Padres!!!

Quote from 3fingersplit on September 16, 2024, 11:41 am

This series with the Astros should be a good one and Wednesday should be epic…Framber Valdez vs Dylan Cease is about as good as it gets and when was the last time that two guys were going head to head that have thrown “No Hitters”….Dylan Cease this year and Framber Valdez last year?

Hopefully both guys show up and pitch accordingly…if you are a baseball fan then this is a game you don’t want to miss.

Here is a question for all of you…What trade or Free Agent pickup has had the biggest impact for the team this season?

So many great players and great stories but if you had to pick one…..?

Quote from fenn68 on September 16, 2024, 12:00 pm

Quote from brent wolff on September 16, 2024, 7:11 am

While winning the division would be awesome, not to mention it would be great to break the 10-year stranglehold the Dog-ers have had on winning the NL West division, however in the current playoff format, teams don't seem to recover from the extended off period that the top 2 teams in each league earn.  Agree or disagree with this thought process?  Go Pads!

I don't necessarily see a lock "cause and effect" relationship.

One aspect to consider is that teams that win the most games over a full 162 tend to have rosters depth that allows for wins coming from quality 4th/5th SP, deep RP, and bench players that come in and produce to cover injuries / rest for starters.

However, in short series the focus goes to the #1-3 SP and the starting 9 position players ... and that may not stack up as well against what a team with lesser wins over 162.

Simply ... 3 elite SP in the playoffs usually beats 5 very good SP.

Quote from fenn68 on September 16, 2024, 12:04 pm

Quote from 3fingersplit on September 16, 2024, 11:41 am

This series with the Astros should be a good one and Wednesday should be epic…Framber Valdez vs Dylan Cease is about as good as it gets and when was the last time that two guys were going head to head that have thrown “No Hitters”….Dylan Cease this year and Framber Valdez last year?

Hopefully both guys show up and pitch accordingly…if you are a baseball fan then this is a game you don’t want to miss.

Here is a question for all of you…What trade or Free Agent pickup has had the biggest impact for the team this season?

So many great players and great stories but if you had to pick one…..?

Profar for $2.5MM ... beyond his on field production (#1 LF in NL and near the top of the league in BA/OBP) ... he does a lot to boost the rest of the team. Plus would not forget the team mandate to get under the CBT (drop about $100MM in salary) ... so getting his production for $2.5 MM allowed payroll space for other adds. Plus he had done this for a full season.

Quote from BoosterSD on September 16, 2024, 12:17 pm

Quote from fenn68 on September 16, 2024, 12:04 pm

 

Profar for $2.5MM ... beyond his on field production (#1 LF in NL and near the top of the league in BA/OBP) ... he does a lot to boost the rest of the team. Plus would not forget the team mandate to get under the CBT (drop about $100MM in salary) ... so getting his production for $2.5 MM allowed payroll space for other adds. Plus he had done this for a full season.

I agree, Profar is the heartbeat of this team. And Profar just seems to perform in SD better than anywhere else.

We saw it last season as well, after he was DFA'd by COL and he came back to SD and the winning September happened at the same time.

Hopefully both Profar and Preller see this and a deal can be reached so Profar stays in SD for decent dollars and SD doesn't have to break the bank to keep him.