The San Diego Padres haven’t been in this position in quite some time.
In fact, they went all of April without losing the first two games of a series. They’ve now dropped four straight for the first time in 2026, and there’s really only one culprit.
The bats have been cold. Throughout the losing streak, the Friars have only put up nine runs (four games). They’ve yet to score more than four runs since their nine run outburst on Monday night.
The pitching has been mostly solid, giving the Padres an ability
to stay in the game. But the offense has been lacking in a major way. San Diego will need their bats to pick it up in the series finale against the Chicago White Sox today.
Taking the mound
Anthony Kay (CWS) v. Griffin Canning (SD)
The lefty Kay has been serviceable for the Sox, but he’s easily the weakest of the three starters the Padres have seen in this series. He’s pitched to a 6.12 ERA and a very high 1.68 WHIP.
Kay has given up 17 runs on 28 hits across only 25 innings. He’s struck out only 15 batters in that same time. San Diego will hopefully be able to put up some runs against the left-hander.
Canning will be making his 2026 debut for the Padres after being signed to a deal with the club this offseason. He’s been rehabbing after an Achilles injury ended his 2025. Canning was solid in five rehab starts, posting a 3.60 ERA.
Last year with the New York Mets was a turnaround for the righty, with Canning posting an ERA under 4.00 for the first time in his career (not including the COVID-shortened 2020 season). San Diego is betting that Canning can pick up right where he left off with the Mets. He’ll begin to make his case this afternoon.
Batter up!
It’s been rough going offensively for the Padres lately. If they can turn the tide tonight against Kay, it would go a long way toward putting those concerns to bed.
With the lefty on the mound, it likely forces Nick Castellanos and Miguel Andujar into the lineup. The two have far better splits against left-handers and were signed with just that platoon idea in mind.
- Ramón Laureano, LF
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Nick Castellanos, 1B
- Miguel Andujar, DH
- Freddy Fermin, C
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
The bats have got to wake up for San Diego. There’s encouraging signs. Both Andujar and Merrill went 2-for-4 last night, putting up four of the Friars’ six hits. Tatis went 3-for-3 on Friday night’s game. But San Diego hasn’t been able to string hits together. They’ll need to tonight to avoid a sweep.
Relief corps
Michael King pitched a stellar six innings, allowing only two runs, before coming back out for the seventh. He gave up three consecutive hits before being lifted for Bradgley Rodriguez. The bullpen locked it down from there, with Kyle Hart and newly-returned Jeremiah Estrada pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.
That, as well as the light usage of relievers on Friday’s game, allows the Padres to be creative if Canning stumbles in his first start of the year. Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller will all be available. Those three are the highest-leverage options the Friars have.
Behind them are Ron Marinaccio and Wandy Peralta. The two pitched two innings apiece on Friday night’s game so they probably won’t be the first out of the ‘pen but could see action this afternoon.
