MLB Postseason: 3 bounce-back starters who will make an impact
MLB Postseason: 3 bounce-back starters who will make an impact
Garrett Richards (8.31 ERA in 3 starts in 2019)
In 2020, the San Diego Padres will look to accelerate their potential MLB postseason timeframe. Despite a failed run at a Mookie Betts trade, the Padres did add Tommy Pham and also created one of the league’s best bullpens with the additions of Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan. The one area the Padres will be looking for more help in is their starting rotation.
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The Padres have top prospect Mackenzie Gore rising rapidly through the minors but he is unlikely to make his big league debut until the end of the 2020 season. The Padres do have an excellent young starter in Chris Paddack, but aside from him, the Padres lack a true top of the rotation option. One starting pitcher who could help solve that is the often injured Garrett Richards. Richards’ returned from Tommy John surgery in September of 2019 but struggled in three brief starts that spanned just 8 2/3 innings.
Garrett Richards first broke out for the Angels in 2014 as he went 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 26 starts. After making 32 starts in 2015, Garrett Richards has totaled just 31 starts over the last four seasons. The Padres signed Richards in December of 2018 knowing the second season of his two-year deal could provide them a top of the rotation starter for a bargain price. If Richards returns to form in 2020 and stays healthy (a big IF) the Padres may be a true contender for one of the two wild-card spots in the National League.