All too often in baseball, a team’s record in one-run games can be critical to its success. Win them, and a postseason appearance seems likely.
Lose them, and your October is spent playing golf or fishing.
As of Monday, April 30, the Padres (13-12) had played in 10 such affairs, posting a 5-5 record. So after a month, it’s difficult to predict what outcome might befall this year’s Friars.
As it stands now, San Diego sits at fourth place in a very convoluted National League West division, with the top four separated by only two games.
And they already know it will be like this until the end of the season.
“We know we have a tough division and a tough road ahead of us,” said starting pitcher Jake Peavy. “But without question we believe we’ve got what it takes to be on top when it’s over, like the last couple years.
“We’ve just gotta grind it out. You can’t get too far behind, and you’re probably not gonna get too far ahead.”
San Diego has been able to stay close thanks to its bullpen, which ranks first in the majors in opponents batting average (.184) and third in opponents ERA at 2.31 (the New York Mets lead the league at 2.12).
Relievers Heath Bell, Cla Meredith and Kevin Cameron all sport sub-1.00 ERAs.
Doug Brocail sits at 1.35, and setup man Scott Linebrink has an ERA of 3.00.
“We’ve got a great group of guys in here with great character,” said pitcher Chris Young. “I think we’re never gonna panic or worry, especially in close games.
“The way our bullpen is, we feel like if we as starters can keep it close, the bullpen’s gonna hold it for us and we can push across a few runs and find a way to win close games.”
Surprisingly, the soft spot of the pen to this point in the season has been closer Trevor Hoffman.
The always reliable, all-time saves leader recently had two consecutive blown saves on April 25 and 26, including a 3-2 loss in Arizona in which Peavy tied a career high with 16 strikeouts.
It marked the first time that Hoffman’s had consecutive blown saves in more than 10 years.
Hoffman does have five saves on the year but has a 1-2 record and a 6.23 ERA.
Asked if it may lead to some concern with his closer, first-year manager Bud Black emphatically answered, No.
“His stuff’s good. It’s just one of those things that happens. It’s baseball,” said Black.
On the other side of the ball, the Padres hitters have been less than stellar.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez is one of the bright spots, leading the National League with 25 RBIs, and spearheading the Padres bats with seven home runs.
Additionally, a surprising contribution has come from newcomer Jose Cruz Jr., who leads the team with a .361 average and 17 runs scored.
His hot bat and strong defensive play might persuade Black to consider him the full-time left-fielder.
Another new addition, second baseman Marcus Giles, is also having a strong start to the year.
Before injuring his ribs on a base running play on Sunday, Giles was hitting .327 and was second on the team with 32 hits.
Black added after Sunday’s game that his injury will be re-evaluated and that Giles’ status is day-to-day.
Other players haven’t fared so well. Mike Cameron, a player for whom the organization was expecting big things, is hitting a paltry .190 on the year, with only four RBIs. He leads the team with 28 strikeouts.
First-year third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff is performing even worse, hitting only .119 with four RBIs.
Both were expected to be solid power threats for the Friars, who have had trouble consistently scoring runs for the past few seasons.
“Kouz is taking his swings. He’s working hard,” said Black. “It’s just not happening for him right now.”
As the Padres try to keep pace in the West, the players are confident in Black, in his first year leading the team.
Several players have said there is a positive “dialogue” in the dugout during games and a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.
“I think that all starts with Bud and his leadership and the way he kinda sets the tone for everybody,” said Young.
“Bud’s been great,” added Peavy. “We are kind of turning the page after Boch [Bruce Bochy], and it’s been a different mentality and a different mindset, but I think we’ve all enjoyed Bud so far, and we’re looking to get to know him better.”
The way that this Padres team is constructed, the pitching will be strong all year.
But what the team is really hoping is that they start scoring some runs.
Even if it’s just one more than the other team.