Padres Important Stretch Could Decide On Preller's Future

I don't know about you, but I feel like the San Diego Padres are starting to give off those "second-half 2021 vibes" this year as well in September. As long time Padre fans know, this kind of situation happening again is nothing but ordinary.

Let's be real. Whenever we take a look at all the final scores of the MLB games once they wrap up, the first thing we do is go straight to the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies scores in hoping that they lost in order for the Padres to gain some momentum in the Wild Card. Is it just me? No, great!

No that we all have that common, it is important to understand the Padres schedule down this month and how important this is not only for the team to prove last years critics wrong, but to save A.J. Preller's job. I am sure he knows how critical this is down the stretch for his sake.

As of right now writing this, the Phillies have gained a +1.5 lead on the Padres for the second Wild Card spot. The Brewers are now just 2.0 games back. All it takes is two straight losses for the Friars with two wins for the Brew Crew and we have ourselves chaos. That scenario could also very well happen.

With the remaining games in play, the Padres now hold the seventh-hardest schedule in the majors. That includes three games left against the Dodgers, Cardinals, White Sox (Disappointing season but talented roster) and two upcoming with the Mariners; who have been waiting for a playoff opportunity for so long.

The only "easy" games remaining include three against the Rockies and Giants with four against the Diamondbacks. I put the word easy in quotation marks to the Padres production in 2022 being on the poor side against the Rockies. The Rockies, will also be playing home that series.

However, against the Giants and Diamondbacks combined this year, San Diego is 22-9 and just recently made a statement by sweeping the Giants in Oracle Park late August.

Philadelphia and Milwaukee hold the 13th and 14th hardest remaining schedules respectively.

But to be quite honest, it is really upsetting to talk about how difficult it can be for this 2022 roster just to make it in the postseason. I understand the National League has so many contending franchises, but with the way the Padres spent their money and trade deadlines, no excuses at all. Please do not say we would be better if Fernando Tatis Jr. was here at this time. Truly contending teams find out a way to still show dominance without their stars on the field.

Let's be realistic. Many baseball fans including myself counted the Dodgers winning a World Series almost dead with the injuries that have plagued that team. Buehler getting elbow surgery, Graterol hurting his elbow and Betts earlier in the season suffering a broken rib. Yet, they are still 97-43. Despite bullpen struggles, they went out just to get slugger Joey Gallo out of New York alive. They gave up more than what they gained at the deadline yet are unbelievable. To add the cherry on top, Dustin May's long awaited return has come.

After Preller somehow took Soto, Bell, Drury and Hader at the 2022 deadline, that did not even have the Dodgers flinch. Soto, the biggest acquisition, is just batting .218 in 140 plate appearances with the Padres however, has reached base at a .381 mark. Soto has struggled hitting all for the 2022 season but got hot just in time at July before the deadline hit early August. Bell, is only hitting .205 since coming to the team. Drury has been good but is now spending time on the IL with a concussion and will miss the Mariners series. Last but not least, Hader was absolutely horrific in his first few appearances but has maintained a steady stream as of late and is looking to be the true Padres closer rather than having the team mix it up with options.

Preller has improved drastically on the 2022 deadline compared to 2021 however, since coming to the Padres in 2014, the team only made the postseason once in a 60-game 2020 season. Yikes. To make matters worse, Preller gained so much with building on the farm system with young prospects but traded majority away for stars that have not had the same production. Luckily enough, top prospects Luis Campusano and Adrian Morejon are still on the list, including both seeing time in the majors. The 2021 Padres season ended in heart-braking fashion and as for 2022, who knows if this team will repeat the act yet again. If the Padres do miss the postseason in consecutive seasons, Padre fans will be in an uproar on social media about Preller and upper management will need to make serious consideration on his future despite being extended through 2026.