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San Diego Padres: Schedule not favorable for Wild Card chase

By Kevin Henry

Sep 4, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) is congratulated by catcher Austin Nola (right) after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) is congratulated by catcher Austin Nola (right) after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Entering play on Tuesday, the San Diego Padres held a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the chase for the final National League Wild Card spot. Can the Padres hang on to that lead with a brutal schedule for the rest of September and October?

Here’s why the San Diego Padres schedule could keep them out of the National League Wild Card spot

Beginning with a two-game series at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, the Padres have 25 games left to play this season. Here is how those 25 games break down:

2 vs. Los Angeles Angels

3 at Los Angeles Dodgers

4 at San Francisco Giants

3 at St. Louis Cardinals

3 vs. San Francisco Giants

3 vs. Atlanta Braves (plus completion of suspended game from earlier in the season in Atlanta where the Padres were leading 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth)

3 at Los Angeles Dodgers

3 at San Francisco Giants

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As you can see, the schedule is dominated by teams also in the National League postseason chase. Additionally, 13 of the 16 games where the Padres face the Giants and Dodgers (both virtual locks to make the postseason while battling for the top spot in the division) are away from Petco Park.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, has a finishing schedule littered with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals. Of the Reds’ remaining games, only three on the road against the Cardinals, three at home against the Dodgers, and two on the road against the Chicago White Sox remain against teams with any chances at the postseason (with St. Louis three games behind the Padres entering Monday’s play).

Next. This was our take when the Padres inked Jake Arrieta. dark

While the Padres may be getting starting pitcher Jake Arrieta back from a hamstring injury, it’s still a long shot, based on what we’ve seen this season (7.04 ERA), that the veteran pitcher has much left in the tank against a brutal finishing schedule that could well sideline the Padres, a team that many predicted as a National League powerhouse this season but has been sideswiped by injuries.

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