The Padres suffered their worst beating at Petco Park since before last year’s All-Star break, losing 10-2 to the Red Sox. The team’s struggles against left-handed pitcher Walker Buehler are a concern, as they have struggled in recent weeks.
Buehler, who had a 5.74 ERA going into the game, shut down the Padres for six scoreless innings before allowing four hits over his final two innings. His performance was a surprise to many, including himself, but it showed that he can still be effective when faced with a strong opposing team.
The Padres’ struggles against Buehler are not new. In fact, they have had success against him in the past. From 2018 to 2022, Buehler was 6-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 11 starts against the Padres. However, his performance last night was just one of three starts he has made against them this season.
The Padres’ struggles are not unique to their performance against Buehler. In fact, they have struggled in recent weeks, particularly against starting pitchers with high ERAs. Since July 4, the team has faced 13 starting pitchers with an ERA of 4.62 or higher and has a combined ERA of 3.08 against them.
The Padres’ situation is complex, but they are in a good position to make the playoffs. They are currently ranked second in the wild-card standings, behind only the Mets. However, to climb higher in the standings, they will need to improve their performance, particularly on offense.
Fernando Tatis Jr., who has struggled at times this season, remains a key player for the Padres. The team’s manager, Mike Shildt, is confident in Tatis’ abilities and believes he can be successful regardless of his performance. However, questions about Tatis’ batting lead-off spot remain unanswered.
Overall, the Padres’ struggles against Buehler and their recent performance against starting pitchers with high ERAs highlight the need for improvement. However, with a strong team and good positioning in the standings, the Padres have a solid chance of making the playoffs.
Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/09/padres-daily-gotta-be-better-than-that-the-tatis-question