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As a direct result of the Cubs victory in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, the San Diego Padres have been mathematically eliminated from the MLB postseason, meaning that they've effectively come to the end of the road in their 2015 season. As we'll do with each eliminated team this season, let's give them a send-off that would make Boyz II Men proud.*
We'll look at the highs and lows of their season, what bright spots their future might hold and what questions need answering as they prepare for 2016.
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HIGH POINT: There was a very short stretch this season where it looked like A.J. Preller's aggressive offseason would pay off. That stretch lasted all of three days from April 19-21, when San Diego held a share of first place in the NL West. The Padres also enjoyed a 9-2 stretch in August, including a pair of runaway victories against St. Louis. It wasn't enough to get them on the postseason radar again, but it put them on the cusp of the elusive .500 pleateau.
LOW POINT: The Padres season, as a whole, would be considered nothing less than a major disappointment. However, the wheels really came off in June, which coincides with the firing of manager Bud Black. When Black was let go on June 16, the Padres were 32-33. By July 10, they were 39-49, which stands as their low water mark for the season. Like many of Preller's big moves over the past 12 months, his decision appeared to backfire.*
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BEST HIGHLIGHT: As of Aug. 14, the Padres were the only franchise in MLB without a no-hitter and one of only two franchises without a cycle, along with the Miami Marlins. Thanks to Matt Kemp they were finally able to cross the latter off the list in a win against the Colorado Rockies. Kemp entered the history books in dramatic fashion, saving his triple for the ninth inning.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: The Padres, as currently constructed, are in win now-mode. They sacrificed important pieces of their future in an attempt to leapfrog Los Angeles and San Francisco, and somehow managed to fall behind Arizona in the process. If there's hope, it might come with improved health. They got it from Matt Kemp this season. Perhaps next season they will also have a healthy Wil Myers to build the offense around.
QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERING: There are several, but the most pressing is what approach will general manager A.J. Preller take after effectively going all-in in 2015 and watching his team underachieve. We know he's bound to lose Justin Upton in free agency. Will he also look to move on from other big contracts like James Shields and Craig Kimbrel, or will he double down, keep adding, and effectively attempt to will them to success?
Previously in this series: Phillies, Braves, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers.
Up next: The Arizona Diamondbacks were officially eliminated on Friday. The Oakland Athletics will be next in line.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
We'll look at the highs and lows of their season, what bright spots their future might hold and what questions need answering as they prepare for 2016.
[Play a Daily Fantasy contest for cash today!]
LOW POINT: The Padres season, as a whole, would be considered nothing less than a major disappointment. However, the wheels really came off in June, which coincides with the firing of manager Bud Black. When Black was let go on June 16, the Padres were 32-33. By July 10, they were 39-49, which stands as their low water mark for the season. Like many of Preller's big moves over the past 12 months, his decision appeared to backfire.*
Your browser does not support iframes.
BEST HIGHLIGHT: As of Aug. 14, the Padres were the only franchise in MLB without a no-hitter and one of only two franchises without a cycle, along with the Miami Marlins. Thanks to Matt Kemp they were finally able to cross the latter off the list in a win against the Colorado Rockies. Kemp entered the history books in dramatic fashion, saving his triple for the ninth inning.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: The Padres, as currently constructed, are in win now-mode. They sacrificed important pieces of their future in an attempt to leapfrog Los Angeles and San Francisco, and somehow managed to fall behind Arizona in the process. If there's hope, it might come with improved health. They got it from Matt Kemp this season. Perhaps next season they will also have a healthy Wil Myers to build the offense around.
QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERING: There are several, but the most pressing is what approach will general manager A.J. Preller take after effectively going all-in in 2015 and watching his team underachieve. We know he's bound to lose Justin Upton in free agency. Will he also look to move on from other big contracts like James Shields and Craig Kimbrel, or will he double down, keep adding, and effectively attempt to will them to success?
Previously in this series: Phillies, Braves, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers.
Up next: The Arizona Diamondbacks were officially eliminated on Friday. The Oakland Athletics will be next in line.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813