{"id":785053,"date":"2026-05-09T20:53:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/785053\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T20:53:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:53:16","slug":"padres-pregame-still-trying-to-get-offense-off-the-ground-in-game-3-vs-cardinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/785053\/","title":{"rendered":"Padres pregame: Still trying to get offense off the ground in Game 3 vs. Cardinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The trip to Coors Field and Mexico City was supposed to be a shot in the arm for the Padres\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n

It has been anything but.<\/p>\n

The Padres are hitting .205\/.268\/350 for a .619 OPS in 11 games since their jaunt that elevation. They were shut out for a second time in that stretch in a one-hit loss on Friday and have several regulars slumping heading into Saturday\u2019s 4:15 p.m. first pitch on FOX.<\/p>\n

The headline that\u2019s been stated over and over and over: Fernando Tatis Jr.<\/strong> has not homered yet this season.<\/p>\n

He ranks in the 98th percentile in hard-hit rate (58.7%) and in the 91st percentile in average exit velocity (92.8 mph), but his groundball rate to date (52.9%) is the worst of his career, as is his average launch angle (2.8 degrees).<\/p>\n

Tatis was 0-for-2 with a walk on Friday and is hitting .243\/.275\/.324 for a .599 OPS in 10 games played since the trip through elevation.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not alone in his struggles even as he returns to the two-hole for the first time since Monday.<\/p>\n

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How we\u2019re lining up tonight. pic.twitter.com\/bl0ebVMPrx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Manny Machado<\/strong> is 0-for-19 over his last five games and has a .541 OPS in since the return from Mexico City. Outfielder Ram\u00f3n Laureano<\/strong> has been even more off his game with a .476 OPS since the return from elevation, as has catcher Freddy Fermin<\/strong> (.195).<\/p>\n

The Padres had a .679 OPS through 22 games (15-7) before the trip through Denver and Mexico City and they \u00a0managed a so-so .751 OPS while going 3-2 on that trip.<\/p>\n

Jackson Merrill<\/strong> is leading off for the fifth straight game and Tatis will bat second, followed by Machado and Gavin Sheets<\/strong> as the DH over Miguel Andujar<\/strong>, who is out of the lineup for the first time since April 28.<\/p>\n

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts<\/strong> will bat fifth, followed by Laureano, first baseman Ty France<\/strong>, second baseman Sung-Mun Song<\/strong> and Fermin behind the plate.<\/p>\n

Here is how the Cardinals (23-15) will line up as they look to clinch the series:<\/p>\n

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Saturday in San Diego! pic.twitter.com\/fFTBCdCRbc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

Cardinals RHP Dustin May (3-3, 5.15 ERA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former Dodgers third-rounder has a 5.01 ERA in 169 innings since losing all of 2024 to injuries. That includes a 5.40 ERA in 28\u2153 innings last year after the trade to Boston. May has a 2.45 ERA over his last five starts. He has a 3.80 ERA in 64 innings against the Padres in the regular season, but he allowed six runs \u2014 five earned \u2014 in five innings in a no-decision last year.<\/p>\n

Here is how May has fared against current Padres in the regular season:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Randy V\u00e1squez (3-1, 3.20 ERA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

He has allowed eight runs over his last two starts (10\u2154 IP), striking out just six against five walks in those two games. V\u00e1squez has a 4.35 ERA in four starts so far this year at Petco Park. V\u00e1squez has a 4.91 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals, including two last year (8\u2154 IP, 6 ER).<\/p>\n

Here is how he\u2019s fared against current Cardinals:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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