The San Diego Padres experienced a disappointing weekend as they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, falling 5-4 in Sunday’s game and slipping two games behind in the National League West division standings. Heading into a crucial homestand starting Monday, the Padres may have to confront their challenges without their center fielder Jackson Merrill, whose health status remains uncertain due to a recent ankle injury.
Merrill’s Injury Adds to His Troubled Season
Jackson Merrill’s sophomore season, already marked by injuries, took another hit when he left Sunday’s game with an ankle issue after striking out twice. He has faced multiple setbacks this year, including time off for hamstring and concussion problems. Padres manager Mike Shildt acknowledged the injury’s impact, explaining,
“(The ankle has) been bothering him a little bit,”
and added,
“He tweaked it a little bit (Saturday night), and it felt a little ginger in the first couple of at-bats, so we just wanted to get ahead of it a little bit.”
Division Standings Tighten as Padres Aim to Recover
San Diego’s struggles this season against the Dodgers are significant; the Padres hold a 2-8 record versus their division rivals. This negative record means if they end the season tied, the Dodgers would win the tiebreaker. Their final regular-season series against Los Angeles is scheduled for next weekend at Petco Park. Despite the disappointing loss, Shildt remains focused:
“Are we disappointed? Absolutely,”
he said.
“But it strengthens our resolve. It didn’t go our way, but we have another game (Monday).”
Pitching Matchup Features Nestor Cortes and Robbie Ray
On Monday night, the Padres will begin a seven-game homestand with a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. Left-hander Nestor Cortes is set to start for San Diego. Since joining the Padres via trade from Milwaukee on July 31, Cortes has delivered solid performances in two limited outings. Notably, he pitched 4 2/3 innings against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing one run with six hits and a walk while striking out six. His career record against the Giants includes no decisions in two starts, and a 4.00 ERA.
The Giants will answer with lefty Robbie Ray, who was the losing pitcher in the recent San Francisco game against the Padres. Ray allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings, walking one and striking out four. He holds a 6-7 record with a 4.25 ERA in 20 career starts facing San Diego, with a 1-1 record this season against them.
Giants Seek Momentum After Ending Home Losing Streak
The Giants recently snapped a seven-game losing streak, all suffered at their home stadium, Oracle Park, with a 7-1 victory over Tampa Bay. This win ended a difficult stretch where they lost 15 of their last 17 games at home. Once contenders for a playoff spot around the trade deadline, the Giants now trail the New York Mets by six games for the final National League wild-card berth.
A key moment in Sunday’s win featured Giants shortstop Willy Adames, who scored from first base on Dominic Smith’s two-run single in the sixth inning. Exploiting a missed cutoff by the defense, Adames turned the play into a three-run advantage that secured a 4-0 lead. Reflecting on his baserunning, Adames stated,
“Stuff like that can change the momentum for the team,”
demonstrating his intent to inspire his teammates.
Upcoming Series Holds High Stakes for Both Teams
The Padres have dominated the season series against the Giants, winning seven of nine games, including a recent three-game sweep by a combined score of 20-3. Despite their recent losses, the Giants seem motivated to improve as they prepare for the upcoming home series. For the Padres, stabilizing their lineup while managing Jackson Merrill’s injury will be key to maintaining their pursuit of the division lead and securing a postseason spot.
The series will test both teams’ resolve, with San Diego seeking to rebound after a difficult weekend and San Francisco aiming to capitalize on newfound momentum on the road.