Padres drop Game 2 as offensive slump starts to show

Taking the mound

Ryan Feltner (COL) v. Matt Waldron (SD)

Feltner has had a rough start to 2026. He’s pitched to a 6.00 ERA across 18 innings and his last outing against the Friars didn’t exactly go well. In the Padres’ 9-5 win over Colorado two weeks ago, Feltner surrendered six runs. He was chased from the game after only four innings and earned the loss after giving up seven hits (two homers) and three walks to the Friars. He’ll have to look a whole lot better to beat San Diego this time. Padres hitters have a combined .342 batting average 12 RBI against the right-hander. With San Diego looking to take the rubber match over the Rox today, they’ll need Waldron to look a *lot* better than he did last week against the Los Angeles Angels. He gave up six runs that night in only 3 2/3 innings pitched. The good news? Waldron’s knuckleball should work fantastically in the high-altitude environs of Coors Field. Key word: *should*. If his knuckleball isn’t on point, then Rockies hitters will have a fun time running up the score today.

Batter up!

With everyone hitting pretty good versus Feltner, the starters will likely be in for San Diego. Nick Castellanos (in spite of his defensive miscues at first base yesterday) could start in the DH spot with a career .333 BA (12 AB) against Feltner. But Miguel Andujar (.600 BA, 1.600 OPS) could start there as well. The rest of the lineup feels pretty solidified:

1. Ramón Laureano, LF
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
3. Jackson Merrill, CF
4. Manny Machado, 3B
5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
6. Miguel Andujar, DH
7. Gavin Sheets, 1B
8. Luis Campusano, C
9. Jake Cronenworth, 2B It’s possible manager Craig Stammen gives one of his top five a day off, possibly slotting in Bryce Johnson in somewhere for one of the starting outfielders (maybe Merrill?). But apart from that, the lineup feels pretty set. Campusano could potentially get the start over Freddy Fermin despite starting yesterday’s game. He had a great offensive showing in yesterday and has the better career numbers against Feltner. That being said, Stammen could still tab Fermin to maintain an even balance between the two backstops.

Relief corps

Like I said, none of the Padres’ relievers exited Wednesday night unscathed. Kyle Hart, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta combined to allow four runs across 5 1/3 innings. The only good thing about that? There’s plenty of high-leverage options available out of the ‘pen. Jason Adam, Ron Marinaccio, Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez and closer Mason Miller will all be on call for today’s series finale. Marinaccio or Rodriguez will likely be out first, as both are able to cover multiple innings. Adam and Morejon can cover multiple innings as well, but the Padres have shown a preference for using them as specialty instruments as opposed to blunt-force tools. Miller is one inning away from tying the franchise record for scoreless innings set by Cla Meredith (33 2/3 IP). He could very well accomplish that feat today. If the Friars have a lead in the ninth, he’ll be the only one heading to the mound.