Padres Clinch Postseason In Dramatic Season!

Luckily enough Friar Faithful, this was not a repeat of last season's collapse. Instead, we got chills when seeing the scoreboard for the Brewers v. Marlins series in which we were all diehard Marlins fans the past few days. All that was needed down the stretch was a Brewers loss or a Padres win. The only question remaining stands at who are we going to face this upcoming weekend?

The San Diego Padres 2022 season came with so many mixed emotions, whether there was hope or frustration throughout. As fans, we were having flashbacks of last years downfall and how everything just went to the ground in such slow motion. A painful, slow ending. This year, brought some of that fear yet again but with a new manager controlling the team as well as a trade deadline for the ages, the Padres made sure not to have any negativity come into play on their postseason hopes.

From the start of Spring Training let alone the season, questions were brought up about Fernando Tatis Jr and when he would be coming back as critics thought the team "would not be anything without him" yet they criticize him for his defensive miscues. In my opinion, since 2020, the Padres have stepped up with having certain players reach certain expectations in accepting their roles. Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Greg Garcia and Jorge Mateo to name a few. With the absence of Tatis, there was not only a hole at shortstop, but also who the leadoff hitter would be consistently for the regular season. The switch-hitting Profar who had a great 2020 and regressed in '21, stepped up as the leadoff hitter for majority of the season, switching roles with another player who has gained the love of the Friar Faithful in Ha-Seong Kim.

Kim, also filled in the hole at shortstop with absolutely remarkable plays. Kim lead the Padres with a whopping 11 DRS and even came up with some timely hitting as he is adjusting more to the majors compared to overseas.

Jorge Alfaro, who Preller traded for from Miami this past offseason, had the most walk-off wins for the Padres in franchise history! (5) He has been such an energy for the team and fans. He even has made a new slogan! Let's just say though it is rated 'M' for mature. Shirts be selling with these now! Hip hip, Jorge!

Now turn over to Captain Manny Machado. The leading WAR leader at 7.2 by far as Cronenworth came in second with a WAR at 4.0. Machado having an arguable MVP season carried this squad Tatis-less. Hitting over .300 for most of the season with great slugging numbers and that will put you in contention. It only took one disappointing season (2019) for Machado to adjust to the N.L. West pitching and to become the dominant force he is yet again.

Let's now forward to August 2, 2022 - The Trade Deadline. Not only were there horror flashbacks of last seasons collapse, but also for last years deadline in which we were on the "verge" of getting 3x Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. All our hopes were crushed as he went to the Los Angeles Dodgers out of all teams. On the bright side, Scherzer left in the offseason and Los Angeles lost to Atlanta in the postseason. Last years deadline was just ugly. Grabbing Jake Marisnick? A hard, gritty player but no way of bolstering the roster with that. Instead, Preller cracked his knuckles and got to work. One by one the Padres go out and get Juan Soto who was on every teams radar basically, Josh Bell being the extra cookie in the Chick-fil-A bag, Brandon Drury who has popped off this season and arguably the best closer in the majors with Josh Hader. Finally, we were the team to grab players to fill the weaker positions. With all due respect as well, Preller was able to trade Hosmer. Wishing him nothing but the best with Boston.

That deadline has yet to prove its complete dominance and maybe it can in the postseason! Who knows? Nothing-less, the Padres got one of the best hitters with the best discipline despite a down year hitting-wise in Juan Soto. A very important deadline has brought this team to clinch you can say. Despite the Phillies and Brewers getting on their streaks, the Padres were able to maintain their focus on not repeating last years act.

Manager Bob Melvin was relieved to hear the crowd roar as he could not even watch the scoreboard anymore. Heck, I turned off the game when the Brewers tied it! Melvin was showered in champagne as the players celebrated after the loss to the White Sox. Melvin stated that he wants the team to celebrate, but wants the team to understand there is many more to come within the next month. Could not agree more! A great hiring by the team as Melvin has gained so much respect throughout the years. Liked it since day one.

Now, the Padres will be traveling to face one of three teams. Either the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals or Atlanta Braves. Looks like we are most likely heading to Citi Field with the Mets downfall and recent series getting swept by Atlanta. Despite all the accomplishments this season, it gets reset to 0-0 in the postseason and the game slows down tremendously. No matter which city this team goes to this weekend, maintain that focus and positivity into the next month and bring that World Series to San Diego!