Six games into a 162-game season, the San Diego Padres are demonstrating the offensive firepower they often lacked last year.
Their 13-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday marked their second double-digit scoring game, bringing their total runs to 45, averaging 7.5 runs per game. They amassed five doubles and two home runs in the first three innings alone.
As they prepare to face the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series starting Monday night, Padres’ manager Mike Shildt emphasized the team’s collective offensive effort, praising their relentless approach at the plate.
San Diego’s offensive output has overshadowed some concerns about their starting pitching, particularly evident on Sunday when Michael King struggled to pitch beyond four innings despite a significant lead due to control issues.
The Padres will look to No. 5 starter Matt Waldron, the lone knuckleballer in the majors, to provide more innings. Waldron, who made his MLB debut last year, earned his spot in the rotation after a solid showing in spring training.
Facing the Cardinals, who are coming off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres aim to capitalize on their offensive momentum. St. Louis will rely on veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson to bounce back from his previous season’s performance and deliver against San Diego, a team he has faced several times in his career.
Despite St. Louis’ disappointing record last year, manager Oliver Marmol expressed confidence in the team’s preparations during spring training, emphasizing their attention to detail and satisfaction with the roster’s progress.
