3 takeaways from Padres’ first embarrassing sweep of the 2025 season

The Padres’ first sweep of the 2025 season has exposed several critical areas that need improvement. While the team boasts significant talent, the absence of key players like Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth, combined with inconsistency from the starting rotation, has left the Padres vulnerable in key moments, leading to them getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend.

Their inability to execute in clutch situations, especially with runners in scoring position, has cost them. As they continue to battle through injuries and lineup changes, they must find ways to get back on track, particularly with their pitching staff and offensive depth. If the Padres can correct these issues, they have the potential to turn things around and get back to competing at a high level. But the clock is ticking, and more performances like this one will only add more pressure on the team moving forward.

Padres' lineup depth is fading without Jackson Merrill & Jake Cronenworth

The Padres’ offense has noticeably suffered without the steady contributions of Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth. Merrill, known for his on-base skills, provided the Padres with much-needed consistency at the top of the lineup. His ability to get on base and set the table for the big hitters helped drive the offense in the early part of the season.

Cronenworth, on the other hand, was the glue that held the infield together with his defensive versatility and ability to contribute across multiple positions. His bat was also a reliable source of production, often coming through in clutch situations.

Without these two key pieces, the Padres have lacked a solid rhythm offensively. The replacement players have struggled to maintain the same level of consistency, leading to frequent offensive droughts, especially in high-leverage situations. Whether it’s been a lack of situational hitting or a drop in defensive stability, these absences have left significant holes in the Padres' overall performance, underscoring the need for quick reinforcements or adjustments to keep the team competitive.

Too many close calls for Padres in sweeps

The Padres’ early season struggles have highlighted a troubling pattern: too many close calls with sweeps. In just their first seven series, three of them saw the Padres facing potential sweeps, with this most recent one against the Rays marking the unfortunate reality.

These close calls are indicative of deeper issues, particularly when it comes to executing in high-pressure moments. In Game 2, the Padres once again faced challenges with their offensive execution, failing to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities. They left several runners stranded in scoring position, a recurring issue that’s hampered their ability to break open games. Despite this, the bullpen showed resilience, holding the Rays at bay through the middle innings and giving the Padres a fighting chance. However, it was a critical defensive miscue—a costly error—and a clutch two-run double in the eighth inning that effectively sealed the game.

This highlighted the Padres' lack of focus in key moments and their inability to close out games when the pressure mounts. Whether it’s missed opportunities with the bat or defensive lapses at critical times, these near-sweeps serve as a reminder that consistency and execution are the keys to turning this trend around. If the Padres don't improve in these areas, these tight losses could snowball, leading to more frustrating sweeps as the season progresses.

Padres' Yu Darvish has his absence felt hard as Padres struggle in sweep

The Padres' starting pitching has been an ongoing issue, with both Kyle Hart and Randy Vasquez failing to live up to expectations. Hart, in particular, has struggled to find consistency on the mound, leading to him getting optioned to the minor leagues. Over his last nine innings pitched, he’s allowed nine earned runs, giving up an alarming .300+ batting average to opposing hitters. This lack of control and inability to consistently make quality starts has put undue pressure on a bullpen that’s already logging heavy innings. When a starting pitcher isn’t able to go deep into games and gives up runs early, it forces the bullpen to work overtime—something that’s especially dangerous over the course of a long season.

Vasquez, meanwhile, has been just as problematic. He has yet to complete six innings in a single start this season, which further complicates matters. His inability to stretch out starts forces the Padres to rely on the bullpen even earlier, resulting in wear and tear that could catch up with the relievers later in the season. Vasquez has shown flashes of potential but has yet to put together a consistent outing. While it's still early, the Padres need more from their starters—especially those filling key rotation spots—if they hope to contend in a highly competitive NL West.

Ultimately, the Padres' rotation has been too volatile, and this inconsistency is a major reason why the team has struggled in critical games. Hart and Vasquez need step up because, they continue to fail to provide length and reliability.