Despite making some solid offseason additions a year ago that they thought would put them in contention to challenge for the NL Pennant, the San Diego Padres never came close to living up to their preseason billing in 2019. While the start of the 2020 MLB regular season has been put on hold until further notice, once play does get underway, San Diego will be looking to take a big step forward. With that thought in mind, let’s find out right now if San Diego will record their first winning record since 2010. Let’s check the MLB Odds and World Series Odds for the San Diego Padres 2020 Season.
San Diego Padres Analysis Before 2020 Season Start
San Diego Padres 2020 MLB Season Odds
San Diego Padres Offensive Analysis
The Padres went an uninspiring 70-92 a year ago to finish last in the NL West while finishing the 2019 season ranked a dismal 27th in scoring (4.21 rpg), 28th in team batting average (.238), 26th in OPS (.718), and 20th in home runs (219).
Veteran shortstop Manny Machado hit a tepid .256 in his first season in San Diego while mashing 32 homers with 85 RBI.
Young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. hit an impressive .317 in 84 games while smacking 22 home runs which are the most for any shortstop in MLB history in a season before turning 21. Tatis was the sixth player since 1960 to record at least 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases before his 21st birthday. When he was shut down for the season on Aug. 13, Tatis led all MLB rookies in OPS (.969) and slugging (.590) and ranked second in OBP (.379), average (.317) and stolen bases (16). Veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer hit 22 homers while driving in 99 runs. San Diego is counting on a big season from former Rays outfielder Tommy Pham after he hit .273 with 21 homers and 68 RBI for Tampa bay last season.
San Diego Padres Defensive Analysis
San Diego also struggled defensively in ranking 18th in team ERA (4.61), ninth in WHIP (1.30), 29th in strikeouts per game (9.7) and 24th in quality starts (49). The Padres’ starting rotation is led by gifted right-hander Chris Paddack after he went 9-7 with a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts as a rookie last season. Paddack was one of six pitchers to post a sub-1.00 WHIP in 2019. San Diego is also expecting some bigger contributions from right-hander Dinelson Lamet after he went 3-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts. Closer Kirby Yates led all of baseball in saves a year ago (41) while posting a stupendous 1.19 ERA to become the Padres’ only all-star last season.
San Diego Padres Offseason Movements
Agreed to terms with RHP Craig Stammen on a two-year contract. Agreed to terms with RHP Zach Davies; RHP Dinelson Lamet; RHP Luis Perdomo; RHP Kirby Yates, LHP Matt Strahm; C Austin Hedges OF Manuel Margot and OF Tommy Pham on one-year contracts.
San Diego Padres Prediction
The Padres haven’t been in the playoffs since way back in 2006 when they lost to St. Louis in the NLDS for the second straight postseason. With that said, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the Padres are facing a serious uphill battle to get there this coming campaign. San Diego will need some better offensive production from everyone not named Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr and their pitching staff looks mediocre at best once you get past Chris Paddack and Kirby Yates. The bottom line is that you should be expecting another season of mediocrity from the Padres in 2020, although I think it’s quite possible they could end up at .500 or slightly better.
