The Padres completed an improbable run to the division title, capped by a 3-2 victory in the season finale over the Dodgers.
It was a thrilling season for the Padres, who were 12 games behind the Dodgers in late May but surged to overtake them in September. The team was led by MVP candidate Manny Machado, who hit 37 home runs and drove in 107 runs. Other key contributors included first baseman Eric Hosmer (25 homers, 94 RBI) and starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi (12-9, 3.30 ERA).
The Padres will now face the Braves in the NLDS. The series is scheduled to begin Thursday night in Atlanta.
The Padres clinched their first playoff berth since 2006 with a 5-2 victory over the Giants on Sunday.
Hunter Renfroe hit a three-run homer in the first inning to give the Padres an early lead. Kirby Yates pitched two scoreless innings to earn his 31st save of the season.
The Padres will face either the Cubs or Brewers in the National League Divisional Series.
This offseason, the San Diego Padres have made a number of moves that have improved their ball club.
The most notable acquisitions were Eric Hosmer and Christian Villanueva. Hosmer is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner and was an All-Star in 2017. Villanueva is coming off a breakout season in which he slugged 26 home runs for the San Diego Padres.
With Hosmer and Villanueva in the lineup, the Padres now have one of the most potent offenses in baseball. The addition of Freddy Galvis to shortstop also solidifies their defense.
The Padres also made some shrewd signings in the bullpen. They added Craig Stammen, Kazuhisa Makita and Bryan Mitchell to bolster their relief pitching.
In total, the San Diego Padres have made nine acquisitions this offseason, which has made them one of baseball’s most improved teams.
The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and teams are starting to round into form. There is one question on everyone’s mind: which teams are the favorites to win it all?
There are a few teams that stand out as the clear favorites. The Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, are the odds-on favorite to win it all. They have been almost unbeatable this season, with only a handful of losses.
The Boston Celtics, led by Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum, are also a strong contender. They have been dominant in the Eastern Conference this season and look poised to make a deep playoff run.
The Houston Rockets, led by James Harden and Chris Paul, are another team to watch out for. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the league and will be difficult to beat in a playoff series.
These are just a few of the teams that are considered favorites to win it all. There are sure to be some surprises along the way, so stay tuned!
Some observers are predicting that the Padres will be one of the teams to beat in baseball this season.
The Padres boast a lineup that is young and talented, with plenty of potential to succeed. The team also has a number of top pitchers who could help them to win games.
One of the keys to the Padres’ success this season is their strong bullpen. Led by Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen, the bullpen is sure to be a major strength for the team.
Another factor that could help the Padres is their manager, Andy Green. Green is considered to be one of the best managers in baseball, and he is sure to provide leadership and direction for the team.
The Padres will face some tough competition this season, but they are certainly capable of winning games against any team in baseball. With a little bit of luck and some good play from their talented players, the Padres could very well make it to the playoffs this year.