San Diego Padres: The Frustration of Feast or Famine

Offensively, it seems that the San Diego Padres are either pouring it on, or struggling to plate a single run. For fans, this inconsistency is difficult to witness on a daily basis.

The past week has been a wild ride for the San Diego Padres, and has included both moments of frustration and exhilaration. Coming back and taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants with an extra inning win on Sunday was the high point, while stranding multiple baserunners in an extra inning loss to the Rockies was the low point.

The bottom line is, this young San Diego lineup has been plagued by inconsistency early on in 2017. When they’re hot, they’re hot, but when they’re not, there’s really no hope of them getting it turned around until the next day.

At least that’s how it seems. The Padres struggled mightily at the plate last Friday against the Giants in a one run loss, only to come back the next night and pour on 12 runs. The same happened during the Colorado series, as the club began with a strong offensive performance on Tuesday before the bats went silent during the remaining two games.

Erick Aybar and Cory Spangenberg are playing well for the club, which is an encouraging sight. But unfortunately, Hunter Renfroe is struggling a bit, now hitting .212 on the season, and both Austin Hedges and Ryan Schimpf remain under the Mendoza Line.

Most notably, the offense is just inconsistent. They have games in which they manage to score in the double digits with multiple run innings and displays of power fans are surprised they are capable of. But then, there are the frustrating nights when the entire lineup is stifled by opposing pitching, one after the other, for no apparent reason at all.

More from Friars on Base

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster

The only possible positive of this wildly inconsistent offense is that it indicates a team which feeds off each other. One of the major concerns with the Padres entering the season was chemistry, and understandably so, with their revamped roster. Though it’s never good to be stagnant offensively, it is a healthy growing pain to be inconsistent. This is because the hitters are feeding off of each other’s energy and using momentum to their advantage when they can.

Unfortunately, this works on the flip side as well, as the club is unable to manufacture runs when the bats aren’t swinging freely and easily. The only exception to this so far has been Wil Myers, who can change any game with a single swing of the bat under any circumstances. But as far as the rest of the club is concerned, coming through when the rest of the team is cold has been a struggle.

Next: Rule-5 Draftee’s Performance So Far

For fans, San Diego’s feast or famine style can be a pain to watch. One night, watching the young bats pour it on is thrilling. The next, they can’t hit a beach ball. Though it’s like riding violent waves on the Pacific Ocean, fans ought to stay level-headed in both the good moments and the bad. The team’s inconsistency is natural, and with the right coaching and veteran leadership, everything will work itself out.