San Diego Padres' Mason Miller, Fernando Tatis Jr. Are Key To Postseason Run

The San Diego Padres finally picked up a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but couldn't walk away with a series win. 

The Padres did face the most elite version of the Cardinals' right-hander Dustin May in the series opener, in which the hurler tossed a complete-game shutout.

San Diego was without their All-Star closer, right-hander Mason Miller, for the series as Miller was scratched with an undisclosed bereavement list absence. Although he's just a piece of the puzzle, Miller's absence certainly hurt the Padres. 

On the topic of the 27-year-old, Lucas, Bob and Peter discuss how dominant Miller has been this season.

The righty has a 0.90 ERA with a 59-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .119 batting average against and a 0.80 WHIP in 30 innings pitched across 29 games this season. In this dominant run, Miller has a perfect 19-0 record in save opportunities.

It's safe to say that the 2024 All-Star is having one of, if not his best, seasons in his career. 

Moving on to some of the issues the roster is facing, outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is seemingly the only Padre who has been able to keep the team afloat offensively. Despite a long stretch of not being able to hit one over the fences, Tatis has been excellent at the plate and is finally starting to hit some home runs.

Tatis Jr. is hitting .284 with 14 extra-base hits including two home runs, 26 RBIs and a .701 OPS (97 OPS +) in 72 games this season. However, over the last month, Tatis is hitting .357 with a .866 OPS. 

Despite having great seasons from Miller and Tatis Jr., the Padres still sit at second in the National League West with a record of 38-35 entering Thursday. 

San Diego has a tough road ahead, facing the Texas Rangers this upcoming weekend for a three-game series, then taking on two NL juggernauts in back-to-back series. 

After the Rangers, the Padres host the Atlanta Braves for three games, then travel to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Despite how much San Diego has struggled thus far, our hosts believe the team can turn things around and become a team to reckon with come October. 

Peter specifically predicts a complete 180 after the All-Star Break, which would prime San Diego for a postseason run. 

It's a miracle that the Padres aren't below .500 and are only second in the NL West, so the team needs to capitalize on their early-season success and right the ship immediately.