Padres' middle-infield hot streak coming at perfect time for playoff race

Looking up and down the San Diego Padres' roster this season, there is no shortage of talent. Superstars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jackson Merrill highlight the team, making them the faces of a hopeful postseason push.

On top of that, the Friars have an elite bullpen, a solid starting rotation, and productive newcomers in Ramon Laureano, Freddy Fermin, and Ryan O'Hearn. That's a pretty steady roster, and while fans can rely on those players to get the team into the postseason, there are two somewhat overlooked players who must be on their A-game in order for those playoff dreams to come true.

Middle infielders Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth are in the starting lineup every day, and while other players are currently stealing the headlines, it is imperative of this tandem to play well. They have each been on a hot streak recently, and their performances have ignited what should hopefully be the start of a sprint to the playoffs.

Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth are central to Padres' postseason chances

Bogaerts has been on a tear lately, batting .325 with an OPS hovering .900 over his last 30 games. Five of his 10 home runs this season are during this span, and while his power numbers are up, so are his defensive ratings. He has seven OAA, which is the best of his career.

Cronenworth had a spectacular week, producing a 1.091 OPS with seven RBIs and four runs. This is just a microcosm to the solid season he's put together despite battling through a rib fracture earlier in the campaign. He enters Monday with a .358 OBP, the highest mark of his career.

He also has a .733 OPS against left-handers this year, which is well-above his career .674 rating. It's easy to lose sight of what Cronenworth is doing this season, considering the amount of stars around him, as well as several newcomers. It happens, but he has been very solid for a team that is 11-3 during his hot streak.

Friars fans can rely on Machado, Tatis Jr., and Merrill to carry the load. But if San Diego wants to not only make the playoffs in 2025, but to also go on a deep run, they need Bogaerts and Cronenworth to continue hitting at this level. They have been hitting those marks as of late, and if they keep it up, it won't be hard to suggest that Padres are primed for several wins in the playoffs.