San Diego Padres : The Month Of April Review
With the record being 15-8 after playing 23 games throughout the month of April and the first day of May, the biggest question that every Padres fan had in mind is: how would the team perform without Fernando Tatis Jr? The star player that is put in the 60 Day injured list and won’t be available until late June or early July.
What have we witnessed?
Despite Fernando Tatis Jr's absence, the players picked up the pieces. A couple players to point out, one of them Jurickson Profar providing all the doubters wrong. A notable highlight from Profar from the month of April include an outfield assist from two games last month. The Dodgers game on April 23, getting Chris Taylor out on third and supporting MacKenzie Gore’s first win in the Major Leagues against the Cincinnati Reds.
“The Throw” via Padres Twitter
The offense from Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado each kept their batting average above .300 this season, is also notable. By showing offense and defense this season, it proves why Manny Machado is the captain of this team. A surprise is Eric Hosmer this season. Despite Hosmer’s struggles last season, it’s great to see Eric Hosmer making contact with the ball this season.
The starting pitching has been a significant improvement this year compared to last year. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are key players from last year and this year's starting rotation is helping this team win games. What is missing from the starting rotation this year is Blake Snell being injured. What is new from this year's starting rotation this year is the addition of Sean Manaea, Nick Martinez and Gore being a part of this year's rotation. Manaea is one of those key pitchers who can go through six plus innings. The Padres performed well and backed up by putting a 3.60 ERA with 30 innings pitched in the month of April. Gore made three starts. Showing proof he can stay at the Major League level. During Gore’s last performance against the Cincinnati Reds, he put up 10 Strikeouts through five innings pitched. With his ERA being under 2. There’s a potential ace in the making.
MacKenzie Gore pitching at home. Earning his first MLB career win.
The bullpen had up and down moments in the month of April. The new closer for this team, Taylor Rogers, was a very good addition to the team, despite wondering who would be the closer for this team through Spring Training. The answer is the acquisition of Rogers from the Minnesota Twins. Nabil Crismatt and Steven Wilson have been a great addition to the bullpen piece as well. Crismatt kept his ERA under two and Wilson coming in to hold on the Padres lead have been steller for the team in the month of April. The down moments in the month of April is seeing Dinelson Lamet performance this year. It’s not the same as 2020 for Lamet this season. Ever since he got injured playing against the Giants at the end of the regular season of 2020, his performance hasn’t been there. With Lamet’s ERA being over five this year, there is speculation and trade talks regarding Lamet this year.
Areas of growth and improvement.
From last month, the Padres only won one series competing against a division rival team, that being the Arizona Diamondbacks from the opening series this year. The Padres dropped the series competing against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants from April. This month, the Padres are only competing against one division rival team, the Giants. If the Padres can be able to win the series against the Giants, it will help boost the team in the National League West. Also, the Padres need to be consistent by winning the series.
The month of May for the Padres. What to look forward to!
Sunshine is back!
The return of Mike Clevinger. Clevinger is back! He will be making his 2022 debut against his former team, the Cleveland Guardians. It’s the anticipation of seeing Clevenger pitch for the Padres again.
In the month of May for the Padres, they are competing against the Guardians early May to finish up their road stand. Following up with a home stand welcoming the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs. Then, back on the road competing against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Giants. Finally, they finish up the home stand in May competing against the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates. The last game of May is a contest against the St. Louis Cardinals.
