Padres Face Key Week Amid Trade Deadline Struggles

The San Diego Padres recently extended their losing streak to three games with a 9-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted by starting pitcher Yu Darvish allowing eight runs over 3⅓ innings as he works to recover from an elbow injury. Despite strong performances from Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill, the team continues to struggle with inconsistent hitting and missed scoring opportunities. The Padres are actively seeking to add a productive bat ahead of the trade deadline, focusing on a left fielder, designated hitter, and possibly a second baseman, but financial limitations may necessitate offloading salary. Weaknesses in the lineup, especially at catcher and left field, along with underperforming pinch hitters, have contributed to their difficulties. The organization views the coming week as crucial for their playoff prospects as potential roster changes are considered. The Padres' minor league affiliates continue to show promise, but immediate improvements are needed at the major league level.