Padres desperately need Manny Machado's pre-All-Star break heater to continue

It's not always fair to place an added pressure on one player, but if anyone on the Padres could handle that, it would be Manny Machado.

Now in his eighth season with San Diego, Machado is the backbone of this team. Sure, there are other stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. But, Machado is the fearless leader. When things get tough, everyone turns to him. When things are going well, it's usually because Machado is at the heart of that team success.

So when we're talking about a Padres team in desperate need for a second-half push, we have to put that heated spotlight on Machado. The Friars' .226 collective batting average is the worst among all MLB teams. They're struggling to get anything together and currently sit with a disappointing .500 record in the standings. But, Machado's tirade at the plate just ahead of the All-Star break showed us that there is still reason to believe in the 2026 season.

Machado, who was playing like a superstar one year ago at this time, may have finally rediscovered the inner gear that moves the needle for the club within the last week, hinting that the Padres aren't going down without a fight.

Manny Machado's success will determine how Padres get to the finish line in 2026

San Diego closed out the first half with a pair of come-from-behind wins against the Toronto Blue Jays. Machado was very much responsible for getting the Padres in the win column, delivering a game-tying two-run single in one game, then going 3-for-4 with an RBI in the other.

Machado, who was entering July with a .189 batting average, lifted his clip to .203 ahead of the All-Star break. He went 8-for-16 in his last four games, which not just elevated him north of the Mendoza line, but dug San Diego from its sub-.500 hole.

Just from Machado's energy, you could tell that he is finally starting to like how he's playing. Not only is that conducive to his own success, but it opens the door for the front office to want to help him more. It's no secret that AJ Preller wants to make another splash at the trade deadline, but with a red-hot Machado leading the way on the field, that changes the game completely.

Machado playing well and vibing again will make the front office more likely to trade for players who can get this team in playoff contention. If Machado were to be hitting at an ice-cold rate again, it sensibly would make Preller more cautious to pursue another star.

So yes, the Padres' entire outlook for the remainder of the 2026 season could very well be reliant on Machado's personal success. He at least has some awareness of that truth. But it's nothing he can't handle.

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