In Game 5 of the NL Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 2-0. Despite an inspired performance by Yu Darvish in memory of late Padres owner Peter Seidler, the Padres were unable to come out on top. The Padres struggled offensively, scoring no runs in the final 24 innings of the series. The loss marked the end of San Diego’s season, leaving them to reflect on what could have been and begin preparing for the next season.
Following a disappointing 2023 season, the Padres made changes to their roster, including trading Juan Soto to the New York Yankees and not re-signing NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. However, the team saw improvements with the arrival of Dylan Cease from the White Sox and the emergence of rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to All-Star form after missing the entire previous season due to injury and suspension. Despite finishing the season series with the Dodgers in their favor, the Padres fell short in the NLDS.
Manny Machado acknowledged the Dodgers’ strong pitching performance, noting that the Padres struggled to string hits together and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Tatis, who had success with home runs in earlier games of the series, was unable to carry the offense through to the end. Despite the disappointing outcome, Tatis expressed gratitude for his teammates and the camaraderie within the Padres clubhouse. The team, while falling short in the playoffs, showed promise throughout the season and built a strong foundation for the future.
Yu Darvish, who had a meaningful connection to late owner Peter Seidler, pitched well in Game 5, allowing only three hits, including two home runs. Darvish touched the “PS” patch on his uniform throughout the game, feeling Seidler’s presence and dedicating his performance to honor him. The loss in the decisive playoff game was bittersweet for Darvish and the Padres, as they fell short of their postseason aspirations. Despite the disappointment, the team reflected on the positives of the season and the potential for future success.
The Padres’ season came to an end in a hard-fought NLDS matchup against the Dodgers. Despite the loss, the team showed signs of improvement and resilience throughout the year. With a mix of established stars like Tatis and emerging talents like Merrill, the Padres have a strong core to build upon for the future. While they fell short in the playoffs, the Padres will use this experience as motivation to come back stronger next season. Darvish’s tribute to Seidler and the team’s collective efforts reflect the camaraderie and determination that define the Padres’ identity moving forward.
