The Padres and Their Struggling Wild Card Pursuit in 2021

In the midst of a challenging 2021 season, the San Diego Padres find themselves grappling with the reality of their Wild Card aspirations. As of September 21st, 2021, the Padres are still mathematically in the race, but their future in the Wild Card battle appears bleak.

Mathematical Possibility vs. Practical Reality

The Padres are currently 4 games out of the second Wild Card spot, with only 12 games remaining in the season. The breakdown of their remaining schedule reveals that they have 6 games against the San Francisco Giants and 3 each against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. In addition to these games, the Padres also face significant challenges with their starting pitching, as 3 of their key pitchers are on the injured list (IL).

Despite the mathematical possibility, the Padres are far from the front of the pack in the Wild Card race. Their lead in Los Angeles and Atlanta means that they would need the immediate collapse of one or more of these teams to have a chance of reaching the Wild Card round. Given the current form and standings, this is highly unlikely, making the outcome virtually certain.

Dugout Drama and Team Dynamics

The tension within the Padres' dugout has been a focal point of their struggles. The relationship between superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and All-Star third baseman Manny Machado has deteriorated to the point where there have been notable instances of conflict. Machado's large contract, which has made him an inflexible trade asset, adds another layer of complexity to the Padres' situation.

The recent dust-up in the Padres' dugout, where Tatis and Machado engaged in an altercation, only serves to highlight the deeper issues within the team. This tension has not only affected on-field performance but has also diminished the morale of the team, further hampering their chances in the latter stages of the season.

Contract Implications and Strategic Considerations

With Machado's contract being one of the largest in baseball, the Padres find themselves in a challenging position. Trading Machado would be a formidable task, as his contract is riddled with lucrative clauses and extensions. As a result, the Padres find themselves stuck in a bind, unable to make significant moves to boost their chances of making the Wild Card.

The team's strategic approach is now focused on determining whether the remaining seasons with Machado are destined to be frustrating ones as they continually fall short of their expected targets. The next few games and weeks will be crucial in understanding the extent to which the team can sustain its current form and whether the tension within the dugout will continue to impact their performance.

As of September 21st, 2021, the Padres' hopes for securing a Wild Card spot still remain. However, the practical odds are against them, and it seems highly unlikely that they will achieve this goal. The current standings and the absence of significant pitching depth make it a case of accepting the outcome rather than continuing to fight for a position that appears increasingly unreachable.

Conclusion: Despite the theoretical possibility, the Padres are all but out of the Wild Card race. For all intents and purposes, the team is hanging on by a thread, and the clock is ticking towards the end of the season. The future of the Padres in the 2021 Wild Card race is a testament to the challenges and dynamics within the team, and the looming realities of their current situation.