IGT, NYM@SDP, 2026-06-05

[Edgy MD]

After a day and a half off, the Mets report to San Diego for a series opener featuring Christian Scott against Michael King.  King has been a mainstay at the top of Padres rotation for a few years after being wasted int he bullpen by the Yankees, and he kind of does it old-school with control and guile rather than malicious stuff.  Two seamers and four seamers, changing speeds and switching sides of the plate, inducing soft contact, and hard to wait out.

He even looks kind of shlubby and prematurely middle-aged like a 1970s Padres rotation mainstay.

Can't you picture that guy nestled into a rotation between Randy Jones and Bob Owchinko?

Christian Scott has been mostly Christian Hott over his last five starts, but has had trouble getting through the fifth, so he has only one decision (a win).  With the Mets best relievers well rested following the Seattle series ending in the blowout and a long break in between, look for Mendoza to again be quick with the hook.

[Frayed Knot]

Pads started the year 19-9 but are 13 -19 since including 1-8 over their last nine with an afternoon game in Philly starting in a few minutes. The only problem with that 1-8 stretch is that seven of those losses came vs NLE squads. First they got swept by the Phils in SD. They then flew east and lost 2 of 3 to the Nats followed by two straight in Philly. Both losses in the Vet [insert name] Bank Park were by 3-2 scores which kind of sums up the Padre offense: it's not good.

Manny Machado is 'slashing' .172/.263/.344 // 607 and he's played every day so I'm going to assume he's not hurt. Tatis Jr (who I noted was playing 2B when I checked in last night) has ONE HR and an Isolated Slugging figure of .054 (lg avg is about triple that). CF Jackson Merrill currently sports a 604 OPS following seasons of 826 & 774 ... and the NOffense doesn't end there. Overall the Pads are in a virtual three way tie for last place in RS/G at 3.85 (SF & KC = 3.84) six slots and 0.2 RS/G behind the Mets. And when you're looking up at the 2026 Mets and find yourself saying, 'Damn, I wish we had their offensive prowess, you've pretty much hit rock bottom.

[Edgy MD]

The weird part about Tatis is that he is still right around his career batting average and walk rate.  It's just that his power that has disappeared.

In this era, when guys fade, it's usually a case of him still getting the occasional homer, but all the other numbers are cratering.

[Frayed Knot]

61 hits this year for Junior, 52 are singles