Brand New Infield Won’t Be Enough For New Look San Diego Padres

4 of 4

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 01: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates as he trots around the bases after hitting a walk-off solo home run to defeat the San Diego Padres 5-4 at AT&T Park on October 1, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

I do see the Padres being better than their 71 wins from 2017, but I still see them missing the playoffs. I actually see them finishing last in the division.

That has much more to do with how strong the other four teams are in the division more than doubts about the Padres. The Los Angeles Dodgers went to the World Series last season and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies made the playoffs out of the division.

With the improvements the San Francisco Giants have made as well, I just don’t see the Padres finishing ahead of any of those teams in 2018. I do see them challenging for a .500 season at 81-81, which, considering the division and having to play each team 19 times, would be an incredible improvement.

Next: San Francisco Giants: Stratton Makes Final Statement in Strong Start vs. Cubs

Prediction:

I will guess 78 wins for the San Diego Padres, a seven game improvement from 2017.