10 Reasons Why the San Diego Padres Can Win the World Series

No MLB team made a bigger splash before the trade deadline than the San Diego Padres. Sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM shortened World Series futures odds on San Diego after it acquired star slugger Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals.

And that was just one of the Padres’ headline moves before the trade deadline.

Padres World Series Odds

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Here’s Why the Padres Can Win the World Series

1. Have You Heard of Juan Soto?

Soto had 21 home runs and 46 RBI for Washington prior to his arrival in San Diego this season. Only 23 years old, Soto is playing in his fifth MLB season after the wunderkind started his big league career as a teenager in 2018.

The generational talent has a career batting average of .292 along with 119 HRs and 358 RBI. He joins forces with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. to give San Diego arguably the most talented trio of hitters in the league.

What interested teams should be asking themselves about Juan Soto pursuit:
What would we have been willing to give up to get Henry Aaron in 1958?
Willie Mays in 1955?
Ted Williams in 1941?
Trout in 2014?
Because that’s the kind of statistical neighborhood Soto inhabits at Age 23

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 27, 2022

2. Josh Bell is Another Key Addition

You might have heard that Josh Bell was also a part of the deal between Washington and San Diego. Bell won’t get the hype Soto receives, but he’s another solid stick in San Diego’s potent lineup. Bell was hitting at a .301 season clip as of this writing with 14 HRs and 57 RBI.

3. And Don’t Forget About Brandon Drury

The Padres also acquired third baseman Brandon Drury from the Reds before the trade deadline. Drury made a splashy debut by hitting a grand slam in his first game for the Padres in a rout over the Rockies. Drury now has 21 dingers and 63 RBI on the season.

BRANDON DRURY HITS A GRAND SLAM

“WHY?! BECAUSE HE IS IN SLAM DIEGO!”

(via @BallySportsSD)pic.twitter.com/6Iu9kcsXVS

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 4, 2022

4. Yu Darvish Can Still Sling It

Darvish is the No. 1 pitcher on San Diego’s depth chart, and he’s playing like it. The 6-foot-5 RHP leads the Padres with a record of 10-4.

5. Josh Hader Can Close the Deal

The Padres also added the league’s best closing pitcher before the trade deadline. Lefty hurler Josh Hader led the league with 29 saves for the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s got a cool nickname to boot: Haderade.

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6. Did We Mention Manny Machado?

Machado has been the eighth most valuable hitter in MLB since 2013, according to FanGraphs. This season has been no exception as the 30-year-old third baseman has 19 HRs and 60 RBI. He has a shot to post a new record for season batting average. Machado’s hitting .293 this year and his career mark came in 2018 at .315.

7. Did We Mention Fernando Tatis Jr.?

Tatis Jr. has yet to play this season but his comeback from a broken wrist looks imminent. He took batting practice last week and a rehab assignment is looming. San Diego’s star shortstop suffered the injury during an offseason motorcycle accident. Tatis Jr. bashed 42 HRs and knocked in 97 runs last season. Getting him back for the stretch run will be huge for the Padres.

8. San Diego Is Due

The Padres are one of six MLB teams without a World Series title. The last time they advanced to the Fall Classic was 1998 when San Diego was swept by the New York Yankees. It’s time for the pendulum to swing.

9. Padres GM AJ Preller Is All-In

Preller’s performance before the MLB trade deadline received rave reviews. The additions of Soto, Bell, Drury, and Hader signaled San Diego’s determination to unseat the LA Dodgers come playoff time.

10. Weather or Not

San Diego is renowned for having the best weather in the world. This produces a greater sense of well-being and provides psychological benefits that have been well-documented. Consider this the intangible X factor working in San Diego’s favor. Think that’s silly? Yeah, could be. But, hey, when you’re trying to win a World Series, anything helps.