Padres failing to capitalize on April schedule now putting them in grave danger

Things are unravelling rather quickly in San Diego, and the upcoming schedule isn't going to help. The San Diego Padres lost their fourth straight game on Sunday and have dropped to 14-17 on the season. What began as a promising start to the 2024 season has become a bit of a nightmare over the past week.

The Padres were swept at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies and haven't won a series since taking two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers almost two weeks ago. Another NL Central foe is coming to town this week, and things only get more difficult from there.

Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds will be coming to Petco Park for the next three games. The Reds have a +21 run differential this season, which is the best in their division. Against De La Cruz and Co., the Padres will have to have their head on a swivel. Cincinnati leads all of baseball with 52 stolen bases, of which De La Cruz has accounted for 18.

Padres failing to capitalize on April schedule now putting them in grave danger

But it doesn't stop there. After the Reds leave town, the Friars go on the road to Arizona, followed by a trip to the Windy City. The Padres' two-town road trip to play the Diamondbacks and Cubs will not be a picnic. The D-backs have a balanced attack both in the batters' box and on the mound, while the Cubs are 10-3 inside the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field this season.

And while it's always dangerous to look too far ahead, San Diego has a three-game series with the Dodgers late next week. While a visit from the Colorado Rockies will help to stem the tide, the following 10 games features a gauntlet of the Reds, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees without any days off in between.

The Friars have lost seven of their past 10 games, while both the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have won six of 10 and are sitting 1-2 in the NL West. The Padres have to hit their stride, and soon, if they hope to remain competitive in the division. A series win over the Reds would go a long way toward helping the Friars stay in the hunt, but neither Dylan Cease nor Michael King are scheduled to pitch during the upcoming series.

More Padres News from Friars on Base