The San Diego Padres enter the second half of the 2024 MLB season with a 50-49 record, placing them third in the National League West. To catch up with Shohei Ohtani and the first-place LA Dodgers, the Padres need more offensive power, and Fernando Tatis Jr. is key to this effort.
On Thursday, the Padres received an encouraging update on Tatis Jr., which bodes well for their future if all goes as planned. This update coincided with the release of the 2024 Padres playoff odds and the reveal of trade deadline candidates.
Tatis Jr.’s potential return could be transformative for Manager Mike Shildt’s team, bringing much-needed hope. Tatis Jr. is currently hitting .279 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs from his right field position—a solid first half, but he can do even better.
Reporter Kevin Acee shared on X that Tatis Jr.’s recent MRI looks promising for a return. “He can continue to incrementally increase his baseball activity,” Acee wrote. “He has already begun playing catch and swinging a bat.”
Fans responded positively to the news, with one commenting, “Nice, this lineup looks weak without him.”
As the second half begins, the Padres face a challenging road trip, starting with the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, followed by the NL East’s fourth-place Washington Nationals. A series win against the Nationals could set the tone for the Padres as they strive to challenge the Dodgers for the NL West title.
The Padres struggled before the All-Star Break, losing six of seven games. They need a different approach for the tough games ahead. This year’s lineup isn’t as formidable as the 1927 Yankees’ Bronx Bombers, but they must find a way to score more runs. San Diego has scored three runs or fewer in five of their last six games, underscoring the need for Tatis Jr.’s return or a significant trade at the deadline.
It’s all part of the ups and downs of a baseball season, but many fans in ‘America’s Finest City’ feel that significant changes are necessary for the Padres to turn their season around.
