Padres Disappointing By Losing Series To Marlins In Road Trip Finale

Here we go again. Watching this redone Padres roster has been very difficult to put our finger on. One day, they are scoring seven unanswered runs in one inning, the next, they get shutout and barely create noise on the base paths. Time is ticking for the talent to click together, as just around the corner is the crucial September schedule consisting of numerous divisional games.

I knew this Padres vs. Marlins series was going to have a great pitching matchup for all three games. However, I was not expecting some pitching woes and the cold bats for the Friars in this series. This will be talked about more on the newest episode on the podcast which you can find in the 'Podcast' tab on this website to listen, but I can also mention some of my frustrations here.

So what went wrong in this series? Let's start off with Joe Musgrove. Unfortunately, I never thought it would have to be said with the pace No-No Joe was on for the first half of the year. However, Musgrove has been getting hit harder. In his last seven starts, Musgrove has been upsetting to watch by posting a 4.61 ERA with 21 earned runs in 41 innings. The most frustrating start came earlier this month against the Rockies by giving up six earned and it feels like that has been the ripple effect since. Will he figure it out? Yes, it is Joe Musgrove. His pitch repertoire and his confidence in being the ace is through the roof. Against Miami, Musgrove lasted six innings, but surrendered up three runs in which the Padres' bats could not produce on their end. The next day, Sean Manaea also continued to show his struggles as of late.

Second, the Padres yet again rely way too heavily on Manny Machado and his bat. Soto has done in his part and so has Drury. But the team is just not producing runs unless Machado makes the pitcher pay for their mistakes. In the second game of this series, Padres were down 3-0 with the bases loaded and Machado had a tremendous at-bat by delivering a bases-clearing double to tie the game. However, the Marlins took the lead once they came right back up to the plate. The team may get on base, but Machado has been the primary in driving in the few runs without more contributing.

However, Slam Diego thankfully made a long-awaited return. Thanks to Mr. Don Orsillo and Mark Grant for mentioning it right before it happened, Jake "The Rake" Cronenworth delivered on a change-up from Pablo Lopez that was away. Cronenworth was able to take that one out and deliver unlike the past two games with so many runners left on base. If you need insurance, give Cronenworth a call! Speaking of runners left on base, in the first two games this series, the Padres left 20 on base. Yikes. At least Ha-Seong Kim made the Marlins pay with a bases-clearing double after intentionally walking Trent Grisham prior to that. The Padres ultimately won a much needed one as they blew an opportunity to take some lead in the Wild Card standings.

Thursday's podcast will be more focused on my take on Tatis Jr. and his suspension. However, I will be going over the key points in this series as the Friars head back home to face the Nationals quickly again. The series opener Thursday in Petco Park will also feature Joe Musgrove and his bobblehead night. Petco Park is going to be loud, as the energy is necessary to bring that hopeful spark in this ball club.