Padres: The National League Division Series is shaping into a thrilling battle

Padres: Clevinger and Lamet need to pitch

Somehow, the Padres managed to reach the NLDS without their top two starting ‘aces’ in Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet. As we have seen night in and night out, the pure grit and determination of this team shined bright as many players stepped up their production to fill the painful void.

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As the series kicks off Tuesday night in Arlington, there is cautious optimism both arms will be available. However, as reported by Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, according to Padres manager Jayce Tingler, the availability for both will be last-minute decisions.

If either one or both cannot pitch from the get-go, it severely hampers hope for the Padres. There will be no days off, meaning starting pitching will be the factor for the remaining teams in the postseason. As impressive as the bullpen was in game three versus the Cardinals, the same is not going to work against a Dodgers team who led all of baseball with 118 home runs during the regular season.

One thing to keep in mind for this Padres offense is that they face Walker Buehler in game one. Buehler was not his usual self this season, and with the Dodgers going to Clayton Kershaw in game two, you never know what that will hold and which Kershaw will show up. The bare bones of it, however, come down to Clevinger and Lamet’s availability as it would close the gap and give the Padres a fighting chance.

Padres: A bevy of young talent ready for centerstage

We are about to bear witness to a playoff series, which includes the following players: Fernando Tatis Jr., Cody Bellinger, Manny Machado, Mookie Betts. The talent list goes on and on with many fun faces representing their respective clubs. Add in the likes of some rookies who will most likely find their way onto the roster, and it is set for a fun series with some of the best young talents in the league.

It will be intriguing as to what the Padres do with their roster. It would make sense for Jake Cronenworth to be added as he hit .285 with 20 RBI and posted a 125 wRC+ in his inaugural year in Major League Baseball. Trent Grisham would also not be a surprise as his 2.3 WAR ranked in the top-20 across all of baseball.

Of course, the Dodgers have one of the best players in baseball in Betts, and adding Bellinger and most likely Corey Seager to the fold with inevitably bring an exciting battery of talent on each side through what could be a surprising high-scoring series.

In terms of pitching, Buehler is a star. Padres starting pitcher Chris Paddack is still trying to find his footing but can be counted. Top prospects Adrian Morejon and Luis Patino, who made their debuts this season, will most likely factor in for the Padres at some point as will Dodgers 22-year-old fireballer Brusdar Graterol. It is going to be a star-studded time in the Lone Star state.

Padres: Diving into the numbers

The Padres finished their truncated season 37-23, six games behind the Dodgers, and their major league-best 43-17 finish. Strangely enough, as the Dodgers finished first across baseball with a +136 run differential, it was the Padres holding firm in the number two spot with a +84 run differential.

Overall the Dodgers won the season series 6-4. The first meeting between the two teams matched Paddack against Buehler as Paddack out-pitched Buehler in a 5-4 Padres victory. A week later, one of the Padres four victories over the Dodgers was carried by the bullpen as it combined eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win.

Game one could be a grind for the Padres offense as they are just a combined 9-for-50 (.173) against Buehler. Eric Hosmer is 0-for-13, which may be cause for the Padres to turn to Mitch Moreland. However, it is unlikely. Hopefully, the Padres will be in for a fight and keep the magic that is ‘Slam Diego’ alive.