No team has truly had the San Diego Padres’ number this year. The Philadelphia Phillies certainly did this week, becoming the first team of 2026 to sweep the Friars. Yet again, despite multiple scoring opportunities, the Padres couldn’t capitalize and found themselves unable to back starter Walker Buehler’s gem.
And Buehler did pitch a gem. He faced the minimum amount of batters before getting into the fifth inning, looking even better than Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sánchez (though the latter eventually won the duel).
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This week has continued to prove true the belief that no matter how good your pitching is, you still need at least one run to win. The Padres have barely been able to get that lately. They’ll need to in order to right the ship against the Washington Nationals.
Taking the mound
Andrew Alvarez (WAS) v. Lucas Giolito (SD)
The 26-year-old Alvarez has been used sparingly by the Nats. He made his MLB debut in 2025, starting five games for Washington and pitching to a solid 2.31 ERA.
Alvarez has pitched in four games this year, though none of them has been a start. He’s got strikeout stuff, with 16 K’s racked up in just 12 2/3 innings pitched. The Padres will need to find a way to solve the young left-hander if they hope to put a stop to their recent losing streak.
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Giolito has been a rotation stabilizer since joining San Diego’s rotation. He boats a 2.70 ERA after two starts. That’s honestly higher than it should be after looking stellar in both of his appearances.
The righty was signed to a small deal with the Friars after a prolonged free agency, and has only pitched 10 innings, but the upside is tantalizing. If he can limit Washington’s hot hitters like CJ Abrams and James Wood, Giolito will be well on his way to elite status.
Batter up!
Jackson Merrill looked completely different in Wednesday’s finale compared to Tuesday’s eyesore of a performance. He went 2-for-4 with a double and zero strikeouts after going 0-for-4 with two Ks on Tuesday. If that can last, him and Tatis could finally buoy this struggling Padres offense.
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Andujar and Sheets have been unproductive since posting incredible first halves in the month of May. If the two are able to turn things around, it would be a major boost for the floundering Friars.
Machado has been the same, though certainly much more pronounced. He’s batting just .169, though hit two home runs across the most recent homestand. His batting average across his last seven games is a measly .083.
Relief corps
With the game scoreless in the fifth inning and Philly threatening to score, San Diego turned to its vaunted bullpen. It did not work out. Adrian Morejon came in and allowed both of Buehler’s runners to score, gifting the Phillies a 2-0 lead that wouldn’t be relinquished.
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After that, Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam and Ron Marinaccio pitched in relief. Though Marinaccio surrendered a homer, the bullpen was otherwise its usual sterling self.
With the off day on Thursday, all of the ‘pen will be rested and available for the first time in a while. But Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez will be the most rested after not pitching since Tuesday.
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