This series started Friday night with extra innings, a controversial no-call, and a walk-off homer. When the dust settled, the Cincinnati Reds (44-38) collected another win, while the San Diego Padres (37-45) continued to spiral. With this Sunday matinee, these teams will see each other for the final time in 2023. It may not be as wacky as Friday, but there are plenty of stars, budding and established, playing in this game too. At 1:40 p.m. EDT in Great American Ball Park, they'll collide again.
1ST CAREER WALK-OFF HOMER FOR @spenc__er pic.twitter.com/T4pfKeOF2i
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 1, 2023
People were picking San Diego for a lot more than the NL West crown this season. A lot had them penciled in for a pennant or World Series. After closing June with six straight losses, this expensive team seems destined to sell at the trade deadline. Pitching has been the team's strength, so they could probably get solid returns shipping away arms. Particularly the bullpen, which is third in ERA and groundball rate as a group. San Diego's relievers may get an extensive look in this game too, since the starter is still undecided. If this isn't a bullpen day, Michael Wacha may be tabbed to start. Wacha pitched 6.0 shutout innings against the Reds in May, allowing only two hits. He has a 1.14 ERA since May began.
Even though Wacha shut the Reds down in May, the Padres lost the game 2-1. San Diego's shiny, expensive, star-studded offensive experiment has failed unless their goal was only to lead the league in walk rate. The Padres are 20th in runs per game, 21st in slugging percentage, and 23rd in batting average. It has been a team effort getting to this point, but San Diego's lineup should shoulder most of the blame for their losing record, considering expectations.