MLB Insider Highlights The Padres’ Lack Of Clutch Play In 2023
The San Diego Padres have a +62 run differential, the second-best in the NL West and third-best in the National League.
One would think they are in an excellent position to make the postseason, right?
Well, not so fast.
They are actually fourth in the NL West with a 52-55 record.
Wait, what?
That’s right: a series of factors have resulted in the Friars piling up losses that shouldn’t have been such.
Luck has certainly affected them in a negative way, but their disastrous play in the clutch has also been a factor.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale illustrates their deficiencies when the games are on the line.
“The #Padres find a new, bizarre way to lose, 4-3, 10 innings to the #Rockies. They are now 0-10 in extra-inning games and 6-18 in one-run games. They are 5 games out of a wild-card berth. There are 16 hours remaining until the trade deadline,” he tweeted.
The #Padres find a new, bizarre way to lose, 4-3, 10 innings to the #Rockies.
They are now 0-10 in extra-inning games and 6-18 in one-run games.
They are 5 games out of a wild-card berth.
There are 16 hours remaining until the trade deadline.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2023
A 0-10 extra-inning record goes beyond bad luck.
Their offense has gone cold in important spots, their bullpen hasn’t been able to hold to leads, and fortune hasn’t been on their side.
It’s hard to predict clutch play, though.
Some players seem to be born with that gene, but it isn’t always as easy as “let’s go get this player who has performed in the clutch in the past”.
All the Padres can do is solidify their bullpen, and improve their offense if possible.
Starting pitching has been a strength, so the focus should be shifted elsewhere.
If the Padres make the right additions, they could start playing more like their run differential indicates and that would eventually translate to wins.
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