Fueled by a dominant bullpen and a surging "Big 3," San Diego’s scorching late-season run has MLB executives labeling them the postseason’s most dangerous looming threat.
Right now, the San Diego Padres are on fire. They are still fighting for a playoff spot, and they have a lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Meanwhile, the Padres entered Monday just 1.5 games back of both the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Wild Card battle, so a lot can happen over the next few weeks.
At this rate, the Padres should get into the postseason. On Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN released his poll of 16 executives and scouts.
They were asked about each league's contending teams, and they were also asked to vote on a sleeper.
In the NL, the Padres had the most votes in the sleeper category with seven votes, with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Diamondbacks all receiving votes.
A big reason for the selection figures to be because of the pitching. The additions of Casey Mize and Robbie Ray were big, although neither has performed as expected since coming over at the trade deadline.
But, Nick Pivetta returned from his injury, and the Padres have the best bullpen in baseball led by superstar closer Mason Miller.
Here is what one American League scout said about the Padres as his sleeper team.
"For me, San Diego is the perfect sleeper team. They're better now than they have been all season, but because they've been fighting for a playoff spot and have no chance at the division, it doesn't feel like people are talking about them. Their last-second grab of Mize and Ray might be [general manager AJ] Preller's best work if they go far. And it just seems like everyone who was slumping in the first half is hot now."
That last sentence is also a major reason as to why this team has turned things around.
All of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill got off to ice-cold starts to begin the season.
However, the Padres' Big 3 have turned it around. Merrill was just named National League Player of the Week.
Luis Campusano has found his groove at the plate, and free agency pickup Dustin Harris has provided a nice spark amid a flurry of San Diego injuries.
And, hey, young phenom Ethan Salas got the call-up and had his first MLB hit on Sunday.
Hot teams entering the postseason are always scary, and right now, with a few weeks to play, the Padres are scorching hot.
There is plenty of competition with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brewers, but let's not count out the Padres, as long as they find a way to get into the playoffs.
