Article Author:
Reuters
Expectations were so high after acquiring huge talent at trade deadline that the San Diego Padres may have received a reality check over the weekend. Welcome the San Francisco Giants for a three-game series starting Monday. Any thoughts on how far the Padres can go in the playoffs after acquiring Juan Soto and other highly regarded players, whether they make the postseason.
After being swept 3 games by the Dodgers in Los Angeles, San Diego is not only 15 and 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West, but is the second-largest . 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, the third and final wild card clinging to his slot.
Even the Giants, two games below .500, are not out of the conversation at 6 1/2 games from the wildcard chase.
The Dodgers beat the Padres 20-4 on the weekend, giving San Diego the first shutout of his Bell era with Juan Soto/Josh. The Padres, who have been 17-23 since June 22, have lost four in a row since he won his first four games in a five-game marathon series against the Rockies.
"I was flogged," said San Diego manager Bob Melvin. "We have to piece together some matches, we have to do better. No matter how you slice it, this is not what you're looking for. You need to flip the script. Better than this We have to play.”
Monday's game will feature left-handed players. Giants' Alex Wood (7-9, 4.42 ERA) versus Padres' Blake Snell (4-5, 4.16 ERA).
The Giants are 10-11 as Wood opened the season. His WHIP is his 1.25 and his opponent's batting average is .260. He's 1-1 against the Padres this season, posting a 4.40 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in three games. He has 18 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.
However, Wood's record against the Padres is 5-3 (19 appearances, 13 starts), with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. In San Diego, Wood said he's 3-1 in 9 games (6 starts) with a 1.56 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler recently said, "We're still playing to get back in the playoff picture."
Snell has a 1.33 WHIP this season and a .222 opposition batting average. In the inning, he struck out 21, gave up 2 runs on 12 hits, and walked 3 for a 1.06 ERA.
After losing his first five decisions of the season, Snell returned to the Giants on July 8. The Padres went 6–4 this season against the Giants, giving up one run on three hits and two walks, and striking out 11 in six innings. 2-2
– Field Level Media
