Jayce Tingler
Heading into the 2021 season, the NL West was supposed to come down to the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams had made move after move to improve their roster, turning the division into an arms race. While no one was certain which team would win the division, the runner-up was seemingly assured of a Wild Card berth.
But that is why the games are not played on paper. The Padres are a distant third in the NL West, 13 games behind the Giants, and are closer to the fourth place Giants than they are for the division. Meanwhile, they have fallen behind a surging Reds team for the second Wild Card, a situation that no one could have imagined at the start of the season.
Like the other teams on the list, injuries have certainly been a factor. Fernando Tatis Jr. has had issues with his shoulder all year. The rotation has seen pitchers come and go. The outfield has needed help. And yet, with the talent level on the roster, the Padres should not be fighting for their playoff lives.
If the San Diego Padres miss the postseason, it would not be a surprise to see drastic changes on the coaching staff. Jayce Tingler may be one of those who find themselves on the unemployment line.