Crone Zone of Interest

 

I know the Padres were probably hoping that they'd manage to lap the Dodgers for the division, but not even the Dodgers' bullpen could let them have that. But still, the Padres are postseason bound again, and have enough to still be a threat even in a schematic that seems set in stone.

The wild thing about this Padres team is just how much seems to feel commonplace in between the spikes. Obviously the Padres made waves in April for being unstoppable at home, and then again in August as they challenged the Dodgers for 1st, and later reneged. Aside from that they've had a pretty unassuming year. It's not looking like anybody on this team will cross 30 home runs, with only 1 guaranteed to cross 25, and only 1 with a chance at 100+ RBIs. Only 2 pitchers made all their starts, and one will be finishing with a negative W/L ratio despite 200 Ks. The stars of this season have been the contact game and the bullpen. This Padres team hasn't needed to overpower its opponents as much as just outfox them; Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Luis Arraez and Freddy Fermin have been the stars of this team, arguably more than a proven power bat like Ryan O'Hearn or Gavin Sheets. 

I think the key is that the things that are working for this Padres team are proven, well-tested solutions. We obviously know Jake Cronenworth works, both as a contact bat [.748 OPS, 56 RBIs], and as a multi-instrumentalist in the infield. Right now he's covering shortstop for Bogie, though he's continued to be a fixture at 2nd. Cronenworth has been one of those unsung multi-dimensional guys for the Padres since 2020, and he's only gotten more and more tuned into what this team needs. You can say the same thing for Luis Arraez in his second season in San Diego, as he's hitting .288 with 176 hits and 61 RBIs. He's not the headline-catching contact guy he was a few years ago, but he's a very useful guy to have around. And now, barring an injury scare, they have Ramon Laureano, a very useful outfield bat with a lot of perks. Like the Blue Jays, everyone's just in position to succeed efficiently, and though there are power moments from Tatis and Machado and such, they don't run the team.

The one thing I worry about in playoff competition is starting pitching, as beyond Pivetta and Cease they're kinda rolling the dice. Is Michael King truly healthy after all that time missed? Is Randy Vazquez a valid postseason option? Does Darvish have it at all this year? Even Cease, while fundamentally a strong pitcher, is more spotty than usual this year. Seeing as, at the moment, they're set to play Chicago in the Wild Card series, and the Cubs do kind of have the better rotation [even if Cade Horton is worrying folks], it may be up to, again, the contact game and the bullpen to sink things. 

The Padres have a difficult road to playoff greatness, and I do see them potentially shocking people again. But it's gonna take some momentum that I don't know if they completely have now, that they need to gain against the ever-spoilery Diamondbacks. It won't be easy...but neither was 2022. 

Coming Tonight: I saw him as a rookie and hoped he'd find his place in the Yankee lineup, and while it took a year, it's definitely happening now.