Padres, losers of 4 straight, are entering dangerous territory
Advertisement
A year later, the Padres find themselves in slightly better standing. They are 55-49, one game ahead of their 54-50 record last July 24.
They are also entering dangerous territory. The wins and losses tell a story of year-over-year improvement. The recent trend lines do not.
Amid another post-break odyssey, the Padres lost a fourth consecutive game in Friday's 3-0 shutout by the St. Louis Cardinals. Their offense, a night after producing a seven-run silver lining, fell back into the malaise that has dragged the team downward for more than two months. San Diego collected 11 hits but went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. A lack of power remained conspicuous; leadoff man Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled twice for the club's only extra-base hits.
That the front office intends to be an aggressive buyer could be viewed as reassuring. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller is seeking multiple bats, starting pitching and bullpen reinforcement. Even with limited financial flexibility, the Padres' lead executive is a good bet to make at least one splashy transaction.
But every additional defeat in late July complicates the calculus. Despite their record, the Padres' needs are more plentiful and more pronounced than they were this time last season. The lineup, over the past year, has gone from a relentless machine to a lurching clunker. Veteran starting pitcher Yu Darvish, a significant boost late last summer, surrendered eight runs Thursday as concerns about his elbow lingered. Michael King is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday. It's an encouraging development, but the Opening Day starter still has not pitched in an actual game since May.
More immediately, the Padres are staring at the prospect of a 3-7 trip ahead of another trade deadline. How important is it to salvage the next two games and make it a 5-5 finish?
Advertisement
'I mean, every game is important,' Padres manager Mike Shildt said. 'The trade deadline's the trade deadline. We in that clubhouse know where we're at. We've proven it. We know we're going to be a team that's going to push and make the playoffs. I don't want to be, like, overly confident about that, because we've got to go do it. But the point I'm getting at — we know what we have. You know, there's a lot of confidence in that.'
There appears to be almost no scenario in which the next handful of days transforms the Padres from a buyer to a full-on seller. The team is still clinging to at least a share of the National League's final wild-card spot. The Los Angeles Dodgers, slowed by injuries, lead the division by a mere five games. Amid the parity that has defined the sport, the Padres trail the NL-best Milwaukee Brewers by only 6 1/2 games.
Still, even before they returned from the All-Star break, the Padres were considering a more treacherous path than most. They might have to both buy and sell. Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez, with free agency looming, are among the candidates to be dealt. The Padres indeed know what they have in the pair: an inconsistent, sometimes-dominant starter and a two-time All-Star closer.
If they deal them — or, for that matter, anyone else — they cannot fully know what they would get in return. Last July's trades for Adam and fellow reliever Tanner Scott turned out to be hits. A year earlier, more modest acquisitions failed to save a spiraling season. In 2022, Preller landed a white whale; Juan Soto, in San Diego, turned out to be more above-average than extraordinary.
Friday, the Padres reinforced the narrow margins they have experienced all season. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas entered with a 5.20 ERA and proceeded to throw five scoreless innings. A hit batter and a fielding error led to a run in the bottom of the second. In the top of the fourth, shortstop Xander Bogaerts tagged up on a fly ball and was thrown out for a double play. The bottom of the inning saw Nick Pivetta uncharacteristically walk consecutive batters. Both of them came around to score.
Advertisement
'I'm not gonna be too hard on myself,' said Pivetta, who yielded three runs, two earned, in 6 1/3 innings. 'It's two walks. I haven't really walked too many guys back-to-back.'
His stance was more than justified. Pivetta, this season, has thrown more than 120 innings and issued 32 walks. He also has a 2.81 ERA. The right-hander is among the biggest reasons the Padres find themselves in playoff contention.
How will they ensure they stay there? The trade deadline represents a once-a-season opportunity. It also comes with the risk the Padres pour even more capital into what might be a fatally flawed product.
No matter what the front office does, the players continue to hold the most power.
'We have to prove it,' Shildt said. 'I get that part. But I have complete confidence in this team. This team has complete confidence in themselves.'
(Photo of Masyn Winn turning a double play against Xander Bogaerts: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Listen up WNBA fans, players are fed up with sex toy bit, so can you please keep it in your pants?
The WNBA has been busy making headlines for rising in popularity, having rookie players that are breaking records, and being extremely queer. But lately, the league has been in the news because colorful dildos have been flying onto the court during games. At first, it seemed comical, playful even, and maybe a good luck charm for the Golden State Valkyries, who won both games where a dildo ended up on the court. But now, women's sports fans, it's time to talk because you've taken it too far. It's not funny anymore. The first lime green dildo was thrown onto the court of a contentious game between the Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on July 29 in Georgia. Almost the entirety of the internet thought the incident was hilarious and quickly got busy making memes. But then it just kept happening. The bizarre trend continued a few days later at an August 1 game between the Valkyries and the Chicago Sky. The third time this happened, Indian Fever star Sophie Cunningham ended up getting hit in the head with the sex toy after telling people on X (formerly Twitter) to 'stop throwing dildos on the court… you're going to hurt one of us.' Then, someone tried to throw another green dildo at a New York Liberty game, but instead of it landing on the court, it nearly hit a child, according to a video posted on social media. Once a sex toy almost nails a kid in the head, it's time to look at what we're doing. At first, we wondered if this wasn't a funny, tongue-in-cheek way to call out just how sapphic the game has gotten, but now that a man has been arrested and said that it was 'supposed to be a joke' and 'go viral,' the intentions seem more problematic. Being taken seriously as a female athlete is already a tough assignment, and having sex toys flying left and right during games isn't helping, especially at a time when WNBA players are fighting for better compensation and revenue sharing. Bottom line: women's sports are not a joke. And while we'd like to think this started as a harmless prank that gave us all a chuckle, it's starting to smack of sexism. In the beginning even some of the players seemed to laugh along. Fever guard Sydney Colson even went on her podcast dressed a green dildo, but then things kept escalating and other players started pointing out how 'disrespectful' and 'dangerous' it is. 'It's super disrespectful,' Sky center Elizabeth Williams said after he game against the Valkyries, per Front Office Sports. 'I don't really get the point of it. It's really immature. Whoever's doing it just needs to grow up.' Sparks coach Lynne Roberts also said, 'It's ridiculous, it's dumb, it's stupid. It's also dangerous. Player safety is number one, respecting the game, all those things. I think it's really stupid.' And GOAT Diana Taurasi had the perfect response for the jokesters, 'I would have picked that thing up and thrown it right back at them.' Maybe we should all just listen to the players themselves. So whoever is keeping this 'joke' going, whether they are straight or gay, it's time to call it quits. The bit is getting tired anyway, right? This article originally appeared on Pride: Listen up WNBA fans, players are fed up with sex toy bit, so can you please keep it in your pants? RELATED Marina Mabrey's manicure is missing *those* nails and lesbians are spiraling WNBA rookie Maddy Westbeld hard launches relationship with college baller Olivia Miles Flying sex toys keep interrupting WNBA games and players are calling foul
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
CSAC's Andy Foster explains shake-up to MMA scoring criteria, potential for future rule changes
Andy Foster, the California State Athletic Commission executive director and one of MMA's most influential regulators, is pushing this week for a major scoring shake-up. If successful, it'll prioritize damage over all else, offering a clearer pathway for judges to identify 10-8 and even 10-7 rounds. In boxing, a knockdown often triggers a 10-8. In MMA, that's not always the case. A proposed update to the Unified Rules of MMA could change that — pending a vote that's expected to pass this week at the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports' (ABC) annual conference in New Orleans. Once official, it will formalize what Foster says many judges already practice — that is, scoring based on the visible effect of strikes and grappling, with damage at the top of the criteria list. 'To get a 10-8 in mixed martial arts is now going to require significant damage,' Foster told Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." That's "as close as we can get" to boxing's clearer 10-8 system, per the commissioner. Foster said the new language — if approved by ABC — solidifies how judges interpret dominant rounds. While 10-8s already account for 'damage, domination and duration,' damage takes precedence, always. 'Damage is the No. 1 scoring criteria through effective striking and effective grappling," he said. 'You've heard these other terms — effective aggressiveness, effective cage control — [but] the only thing that matters is how the techniques, through striking or grappling, impacted the opponent.' The change is also meant to bring consistency to judges, commentators and fans. The recent featherweight bout between Mohammad Yahya and Steven Nguyen at UFC Abu Dhabi sparked widespread debate, for example. There were six knockdowns in the opening round, and all three judges awarded Nguyen a 10-8. For Foster, "It should have been a 10-7 [even] under the current criteria." 'I would have hoped that fight would have been stopped after the fifth knockdown,' said Foster. 'I'd have had no issues [if it were stopped] after the fourth. For goodness' sakes, he had to have had some assistance back to the corner. There were a lot of places it could have been stopped. I would not have felt comfortable sending him out, [if it were] in California, for the second round.' Despite the criticism, Foster backed referee Jason Herzog — one of MMA's most respected referees, who oversaw the match. He said the two spoke shortly after the event. 'He's one of the best referees in the world," Foster said. "It's a difficult conversation. The hope is that he learns from this. Hopefully, every referee does. Six knockdowns is a bit much.' The exchange triggered a wider discussion about whether a set knockdown limit — like boxing's 'three-knockdown rule' — could apply to MMA. But Foster is unconvinced. "I'm definitely in disagreement with that," he said. 'The first three knockdowns were not what I'd call significant. Jon Anik mentioned a five-knockdown rule, I think. And I'm not in favor of that, either. 'Really, in practicality, [five is] a pretty good number, a gauge. But you have to look at factors going into it. If they're concussive knockdowns, [and if the] brain rattled.' Foster also pointed to the different cultures of cornering MMA and boxing bouts. Coaches in the latter sport withdraw their beaten fighters far more frequently than those in MMA. 'MMA is younger and boxing is older,' Foster said. 'You have older guys who have more information and have seen more. They are more wise and savvy — they'll save their fighter for another day. In MMA these guys … 'You're tough, can probably make it out.' It's just a different kind of thing.' Foster also emphasized his desire to minimize 10-10 rounds entirely. 'If you're watching a fight for five minutes, and you can't tell me who won that fight, I'll find another judge,' Foster warned. 'It messes up the scoring. You need to pick a winner, and if people are putting 10-10s, there's a lack of consistency in the scoring.' While the idea of adding a fourth or fifth judge has been floated, Foster noted logistical challenges. 'That real estate where judges sit is pretty crowded if it's a TV fight,' he said. He also warned against too many rule tweaks too quickly. "I do not want any further changes for a while," he said, adding that ones implemented last year — from clarifying the ruling on grounded fighters, to legalizing 12-6 elbows, should have gone through a long time ago. "I think [those ruling changes] worked out more than fine." Foster also commented on the fate the now-defunct Global Fight League (GFL). The organization created promotional material, said it had signed fighters to teams, and even put together a draft. However, it fell apart financially and ultimately failed before it could even hold its first event, which was expected to take place in Foster's jurisdiction of California. Foster wanted "to see certain financial things" before GFL made it to a fight night. "I'm not going to go into a fight and not be sure the fighters can be paid," he said. "I'm not going to have a brand new promotion come into California, talking major money, more than what I'd consider market rate, and not put some checks and balances in." He's also working to boost California's unique fighter retirement fund through that state's DMV. Should the CSAC secure 7,500 license plates on pre-order, then the DMV will escalate their production. The proceeds would go toward fighter pensions. Though a promising initiative, it may be a long while before other major athletic commissions in the U.S., like Nevada and New York, follow suit. "I've not seen interest from other commissions," to replicate the fund in their regions, said Foster. Foster's rule changes — and the conversations they've sparked — speak to an evolving sport still working to strike the right balance between entertainment, safety and competitive clarity. 'When we talk about what we want for MMA, I'd like to see more high-level people doing the teaching — whether that's judges, refs, or corners," he said. "Everyone has a part to play."
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers says Steelers' offense is starting to click
The Pittsburgh Steelers are working on finishing touches at training camp as they prepare for their first preseason game, with the offense beginning to show signs of cohesion. During training camp on Wednesday, the Steelers' offense looked like it was closing the gap with the defense, which traditionally starts off stronger. Before practice, quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed optimism about the progress his unit has made, noting significant improvement over the last few practices. 'I mean, there's conversation, I think, is the most important thing. So talking through every issue. Art's done a nice job of allowing me to take some time in some of the meetings to kind of go through the film with the guys,' Rodgers said. 'So it's good for me to speak up from time to time. And also you pull them aside in the locker room, pull them aside on the field, and then I've got an open forum in my room or one of their rooms after practice.' Rodgers said the offense has really been clicking the last three of four practices, building chemistry on and off the field. He says players have really been taking advantage of the open forum, where they can suggest ideas or get on the same page. Ben Skwronek, Rodgers says, doesn't even really knock anymore before coming in to talk. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
