The San Diego Padres are now ranked third in the National League West Division, just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
But that could change, and soon. It’s that San Diego is currently seeing new faces arrive in the entourage of the team, whether they come from the injured list or from purgatory.
This was the case for one of them last night (Saturday), Joe Musgrove, who was making his debut in 2023, his start to the season having been postponed by a broken left big toe.
The big right-hander was far from his best, but he still managed to give five good innings of work, allowing just three runs and striking out six batters.
Musgrove was supported by his attack, however. Indeed, before he even stepped on the mound in the first inning, the Padres had taken the lead, courtesy of a home run by Fernando Tatis Jr., another who had just returned to play. It was also the Dominican’s first long ball this season and a first since 2021.
These returns to the lineup combined with the performances that go with it give manager Bob Melvin confidence for the future.
When you start getting those guys back and you haven’t had the start you wanted, it gives you a little bit more confidence going into games.
Same story with infielder Ha-Seong Kim.
We already had a great team. And now we get two more great talents. So it’s great to have them back, obviously. Now we can go at full speed the rest of the season and rack up a lot of wins.
And that’s what is likely to happen since the Dodgers are sorely lacking in depth and the Diamondbacks will not maintain the pace throughout this campaign. The path is therefore wide open.
- Felipe alou is still popular.
- The case of the Rays is one to watch.
