Josh Hader just needs to find comfort zone with San Diego Padres

Josh Hader was supposed to be the answer for the San Diego Padres. Instead, he has become a major question mark.

There were concerns last season as well. Hader had struggled in July last year as trade rumors swirled, allowing six runs on six hits, including three homers, with two walks over his 5.2 innings. However, once the calendar turned to August, and he was still in Milwaukee, Hader was back to being the dominant closer he had been.

Josh Hader needs to settle in with San Diego Padres

Fast forward to July 2022. Hader once again had trade rumors swirling around. Once again, he began to struggle when those talks started. Only this time, he was actually traded, being sent to the Padres for a package of four players, although Dinelson Lamet was released shortly thereafter.

Thus far, his time on the Padres has been a continuation of his struggles at the end of his Brewers’ tenure. In fact, since July 4, Hader has allowed 16 runs on 18 hits, including five homers, and eight walks over his 11.2 innings in that stretch. While he has struck out 20 batters, Hader has also hit three batters as his season has started to unravel.

Those struggles were highlighted on Thursday night. He entered a 1-1 game with two runners on and one out in the ninth, then proceeded to hit the first batter he faced. Hader then walked in the go ahead run on four pitches and allowed another run on a sacrifice fly. After a base hit reloaded the bases, he escaped the inning with a lineout.

Based on his track record, these struggles should not be much of a surprise. Likewise, his track record shows that once he has a chance to settle in and just focus on what he is doing on the mound, he will get back to the form that made him the most dominant reliever in the game. It is just a matter of letting him find that comfort level.

Josh Hader has struggled for the past six weeks. He will be back to his dominant form when he has a chance to settle in with the San Diego Padres.