Three positives going into the Padres-Cardinals series

The San Diego Padres haven’t had a lot of success in the past month. They recently went through an 8-20 stretch in a 28-game span. However, the offense came alive during the last two games of the series in San Francisco and that’s one thing they can be optimistic about going into their three-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend.

San Diego combined to score 16 runs on Wednesday and Thursday while getting contributions from many of the players they were expecting to get more out of this season. On Wednesday, Jurickson Profar homered in the leadoff spot and scored a run on Thursday. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his 39th home run of the season on Thursday afternoon, a day after recording a four-hit game. Manny Machado enters the St. Louis series with a two-game RBI streak. Adam Frazier, who hasn’t been the same hit machine that he was this year in Pittsburgh, seems to be hitting his stride as he recorded seven hits over the last two games.

If the Padres offense can continue hitting like this, it will obviously set them up for success this weekend.

Another positive for the Padres going into St. Louis is the fact that the bullpen is going to be in pretty decent shape despite them having a bullpen game on Thursday. While Mark Melancon won’t be available after pitching three consecutive days, Tim Hill, Craig Stammen, Dinelson Lamet, Ryan Weathers, and Ross Detwiler will all be ready to go if needed behind Friday’s starter Vince Velasquez, who will be making his Padres debut.

Lamet will be on three days rest and Weathers will be on four days rest entering Friday so both should be available to contribute in a significant role at some point this weekend.

The final positive for Padres fans going into the biggest series of the season is the possible return of All-Star infielder Jake Cronenworth, who fractured his left ring finger last weekend on a hit by pitch from Julio Urias. Jayce Tingler told the media he doesn’t know what position Cronenworth will play when he returns but it’s clear he would fit best at first base. That would allow Tatis to stay at shortstop and a hot bat in Frazier to stay at second with Profar somewhere in the outfield.

Nonetheless, it’s a big series this weekend that has huge ramifications surrounding the second Wild Card spot. Buckle up!