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“Padres-What I Like–What I Don’t”

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Playoffs baby.

I like the sound of that, not that the Padres are earning their way into the postseason the conventional way.

The fact it is a 60-game limited season helps the Friars alot.

The fact the owners and union agreed to expand the playoffs from 10-to-16 teams means there is an ample chance for the Friars to actually play in October.

I like the six starters they have in the San Diego rotation.  Chris Paddack takes the next step to stardom.  Garrett Richards looks as fierce as he did winning double digit games for the Angels.  Zach Davies is an innings eater and we shall see if he can do what he did in Milwaukee.  Joey Luchessi is proven.  Cal Quantrill is established as a spot starter or long reliever with quality stuff.  Dinelson Lamet showed electric stuff at the end of last season, a year removed from surgery.

I like the bullpen anchor, the 44-saves guy in Kirby Yates…the pugnacious Craig Stammen..the role playing status of Drew Pomeranz..the versatility of Matt Strahm.  And waiting in the wings are utility arm Luis Perdomo..an established Emilio Pagan…and Pierce Johnson and Tim Hill seem trustworthy pieces..

Beyond that look who is on the taxi squad, Michel Baez, Gerrardo Reyes and the kids, Adrian Morejon, Mackenzie Gore and more.

You see anyone in AL or NL West, the teams they will play, have those numbers, that depth, and proven guys, aside from the Dodgers and maybe Houston?

I like the left side of the infield, Fernando Tatis and Manny Machado.

I need to see a bounce back statistical season from Machado and the same from Eric Hosmer.  And a need of 60-games of quality defense in that infield.  Last year was messy.

2nd base seems to be a utility man’s position.  Don’t know if Jurickson Profar can hit back to the way he did early in his Texas career.  Greg Garcia can play lots of roles, but can he hit?  And then there is Ty France and his bat, without a true position to play.

I like Austin Hedges glove and leadership, not his bat.  I like Francisco Mejia’s bat but not so much his glove.

All the outfielders are pretty much gone, aside from Wil Myers and his erratic bat.

No more Hunter Renfroe, Manny Margot, Franchy Cordero.

We see now if Tommy Pham can hit in San Diego after hitting in the tiny confines of Tampa Bay.  Trent Grisham has a glove, and has hit in the minors-not so much in the majors.  His chance now.

The other pieces in the puzzle, let’s see if Jake Cronenworth and Edward Olivares are spring training phenoms, who flame out when pitchers start throwing real heat.

The Padres are now a playoff team.

How far they get remains to be seen.

The Dodgers have bats, but have an under the weather Clayton Kershaw and an MIA-David Price.

Hated Houston has Verlander and Grienke but questions after that.

Better start quick with all these games against LA and Arizona.

Looks good on paper.  See if it is good on the field.

Best chance the Friars have had in a long time, thanks to a short season and an expanded playoff format for this one summer.

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