Padres' flawed first place start should make Dodgers fans deeply uncomfortable

Somehow, some way, the San Diego Padres are in first place in the NL West entering May 13. The Friars are a half-game up on the two-time World Series defending Los Angeles Dodgers, which should have Padres fans feeling good, right? Maybe. But, Dodgers fans should feel even worse because of how the Padres have gotten to this point.

It hasn't been pretty. The Padres are 24th in the majors in wRC+ (92), while the Dodgers are second (119). Yet, San Diego is keeping pace with Los Angeles. It gets worse for Dodgers fans, too.

Fernando Tatis Jr. doesn't have a home run this season, Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth (now injured) are each hitting under .200, and Jackson Merrill has an 82 OPS+. The Friars are 13th in the National League in collective OPS (.667) while the Dodgers sit towards the top in every offensive category. No one in the lineup is getting it done, but the formula is working.

Though San Diego's lineup has been subpar, this team is still atop the standings. It's hard to make sense of what's happening, but Padres fans should be happy with where we stand. At least, for now. This kind of luck usually turns right back around in baseball.

San Diego Padres haven't found an identity in 2026, but they remain in first place in the NL West

Besides Michael King and Randy Vásquez, the Padres aren't getting many strong outings from other starters. The team is 5-4 in one-run games, so it's not like they're being all that clutch, either.

Sure, we have Mason Miller. Bradgley Rodriguez has been a newfound bright spot in the bullpen, too. We should even see him be an opener from time to time. But in spite of that, San Diego's bullpen is nowhere near as good as it was in 2025.

How can we make sense all this? The short answer is that you can't. In Major League Baseball, you have to appreciate the wins, regardless of how the sausage was made. Grit has put the Padres in first place, for now, but superstar talent and consistency will need to surface soon before the Dodgers start to run away with the division.

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