The San Diego Padres are off to a dream start. With a perfect 7-0 record, they’ve set a franchise-best opening run, blending power, speed, and airtight defense. Adding to the excitement, they locked in Jackson Merrill with a massive nine-year contract extension, ensuring a key piece of their future remains in place.
A Record-Breaking Start for San Diego
The Padres have never started a season like this. Not even close. Before this year, the best they had managed was a 4-0 opening, a mark they hit just once in 1984. This year, they’ve shattered that record with a dominant stretch of baseball.
With a 5-2 win over the Guardians on Wednesday, the Padres completed a perfect homestand, sweeping both Atlanta and Cleveland. Every game showcased a different strength. Some wins came from slugging, others from lights-out pitching, and a few from aggressive baserunning that left opponents scrambling.
“It’s just been great baseball all the way around,” said Fernando Tatis Jr., who contributed two hits and a daring steal of home in Wednesday’s win.
Merrill Cashes In, But Winning Comes First
Jackson Merrill had a busy day. He finalized a nine-year, $135 million contract extension in the morning. By the afternoon, he crushed a home run in his second straight game. It was a fitting way to celebrate a career-changing deal.
Despite the life-changing payday, Merrill’s focus remained on the scoreboard. “If we didn’t win that game today, I would’ve been pissed,” he said bluntly.
The young star embodies the team’s aggressive mentality. He summed up their approach simply: “We apply pressure. We don’t feel it.”
Padres and Dodgers Making History Together
It’s rare for a team to start a season 7-0. It’s almost unheard of for two teams in the same division to do it in the same year. Yet, the Padres and the Dodgers have pulled it off.
Since divisional play began in 1969, no two teams from the same division had ever started with seven straight wins. The Dodgers, at 8-0, are setting the pace, but the Padres are right behind them.
San Diego knows the road to the postseason runs through Los Angeles. Their early dominance sets the stage for what could be a season-long battle for NL West supremacy.
More Than Just Power: Padres Excel in Situational Baseball
This team can hit. They can pitch. But perhaps their most impressive trait is their ability to capitalize on small opportunities.
- Tatis Jr. pulled off a picture-perfect steal of home, thanks to a distraction play from Luis Arraez.
- Jose Iglesias made a diving stop at third, throwing from his backside to rob Jhonkensy Noel of a hit.
- Robert Suarez closed out another win, maintaining San Diego’s near-perfect late-game pitching.
“We’ve played really good baseball,” said Arraez. “We do the little things, and then that happens. When we do the little things, we win games.”
What Comes Next?
The Padres packed their bags for Chicago on Wednesday night, riding the momentum of their best-ever start. A three-game series against the Cubs awaits, followed by a tough road trip.
They’ve already made history once this season. But with the way they’re playing, it feels like there’s more history to be written.
