Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicting the 2019 NL West standings
By Jason Reed
3. San Diego Padres 75-87
Yes, we are predicting the San Diego Padres to be one game better than the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019. While that might not seem like much, these are strides for the Padres as the team will not finish in last.
Realistically, the difference between 74 wins and 75 wins is not huge and the Padres are not going to pop champagne for finishing in third. However, we do think the Padres are a better team than the Diamondbacks, although it is hard seeing them getting close to that 80-win mark.
The offense is better than anyone wants to admit. It is not elite but the Padres do have some nice bats. If Manny Machado can produce like he has his entire career and Eric Hosmer can return to form then the Padres are going to have a nice 3-4 spot in the lineup.
The team is also loaded with young guys that are going to get better as the year goes along. As some of the top prospects come up from the minors the Padres are only going to get better.
The shaky thing is the pitching staff. The starting rotation is full of young, unproven pitchers. The team is going to need some shocking standout performances in order to hit 80 wins.
The Diamondbacks are gearing up to be really, really good in the coming years. There will be signs of positivity in 2019, but it is not quite here.