The Miami Marlins (50-65) will host the San Diego Padres (65-52) on Monday in the opening contests of a three-game series. The Padres took three out of four games from the Marlins in San Diego when these teams met from May 5-8.
The Padres know that whatever happens this season, it will happen without their star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr who will miss the rest of the season due to being suspended 80-games for a banned substance. Although Tatis Jr. had not yet played a game for the Padres this season, he was expected to return soon prior to the suspension. Even without Tatis Jr, the lineup is still amongst the most lethal in baseball, led by Manny Machado (.299, 21 HR, 70 RBI, 7 SB), and Juan Soto (22 HR, 49 RBI).
Juan can walk with the best of 'em. pic.twitter.com/hALN5elnvZ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 14, 2022
Joe Musgrove (8-5, 2.91 ERA) will get the start on Monday. In 10 road starts, Musgrove is 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA. He pitched seven innings and allowed two runs in the Padres' 3-2 home win over Miami on May 8, but he did not get the decision.
San Diego is second in the NL West, 16 games behind the Dodgers. If the season ended today, the Padres would be the second Wild Card team in the National League. They have won four of their last five games, following a 6-0 victory over the Nationals on Monday.