The Padres are heading into a three-game series with the Marlins carrying a lot more than just a 50-53 record. After dropping both of their first two series since the All-Star break, San Diego now gets a chance to steady itself against a Miami club that sits just ahead of it in the National League wild-card standings.
That makes this matchup feel bigger than a midseason set in late July. The Padres have already lost two of three to the Royals and three of four to the Braves, and the pressure has only grown. Against Atlanta, the bats did their part - San Diego put up 21 runs in four games and actually outscored the Braves - but the pitching couldn’t hold up.
Miami comes in on the other side of the ledger, but not exactly rolling. The Marlins have lost nine straight and have managed only 2.6 runs per game during that stretch.
They’re 52-51, which puts them just above San Diego in the standings and gives this series real weight for a Padres team trying to climb back into the race. If San Diego wants to position itself as a buyer at the deadline, the clock is ticking.
The Padres will open the series with right-hander Márquez, who has been working back after being activated from the injured list in early July because of forearm nerve inflammation. Since returning, he has a 4.20 ERA, and on the season he’s logged 44.2 innings with a 5.24 ERA. His last outing came against the Royals, when he worked three innings and gave up two runs on five hits, including a home run.
Game 2 goes to left-hander Sears, who has given San Diego some stability while the rotation has dealt with injuries. He was sharp in his last start against the Braves, allowing one run over five innings against a lineup that usually makes life difficult. For the year, Sears has made five starts for the Padres and owns a 4.38 ERA across 24.2 innings.
Miami will send Pérez to the mound in that one. He enters with a 3.53 ERA and was dominant in his last start, throwing six scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers while striking out nine.
The finale on Sunday brings Walker Buehler back to the hill for San Diego, and the Padres need a cleaner version of him than the one they’ve seen in July. He was excellent in June, posting a 1.71 ERA over 26.1 innings, but this month has been rough, with 22 runs allowed over 16.2 innings. There was at least a hint of better form in his last start against the Braves, when he went 5.2 innings and allowed two runs on two hits.
Janson Junk will start for the Marlins in the series finale. He has made 13 starts this season and carries a 5.09 ERA. In his most recent outing, he gave up six runs over four innings against the Houston Astros.
Friday’s opener is set for 4:10 p.m. PT/7:10 p.m.
ET. Saturday’s game begins at 1:10 p.m.
PT/4:10 p.m. ET, and Sunday’s finale starts at 10:40 a.m.
PT/1:40 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
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Mariners Suddenly Face A Stunning Luis Castillo Deadline Decision
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For Miami, the idea is intriguing because the Marlins have pushed themselves into the NL East race and could be tempted to add a proven starter if the market breaks their way. A deal like that would not just be about Castillos name value, either, since the return could shape what Seattle does next and what kind of help it can land in the final days before the deadline. The uncertainty around the package is part of what makes this one worth watching, because the Mariners may be weighing a major rotation decision against the chance to fill multiple needs at once. [Read more 🡒]