Padres Cash In on Pitching Health

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Summary

The Padres do not have a whole lot left to play for in the 2014 season. They are long out of the playoff race, thanks mostly in part to a final 7-game losing streak to start the month that put even third place in some jeopardy. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed to win games. Andrew Cashner fired off two gems this week, and the offense scored some runs as players make the push for the next season. All in all they won SIX of Seven games this week and now with just two more wins would match their win total from the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Is this team better than those teams? The record hopefully will say so. As this season winds down for the San Diego Padres, this past week will be one that might just stand out for them, as they swept the playoff bound San Francisco Giants and even took three of four from the Philadelphia Phillies. Youngster Robbie Erlin returned to the rotation with a victory, and they even did it by scoring over the magical 4 runs in 5 games.

 This is the time of the season where players are playing for themselves and the next season, and the Padres are showing some fight in that regard. Cameron Maybin is making headlines pining for more playing time, Yasmani Grandal wants to play catcher more often, and while the complaining is annoying; I’ll take being upset over no emotion at all. Bud Black appeared to turn in his manager card early in the month, but now has the team fired up and playing good baseball. Last week to go, but before we go there, let’s review one of the Padres best weeks.