PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - Are The Padres World Series FAVORITES After Hot Second Half? | On the Record with Sam Levitt

Episode Date: September 27, 2024

In a new edition of On the Record, Padres radio pre/postgame host Sam Levitt joins the show to discuss a pivotal three-game series between the Padres and D-backs. Are the Padres destined for a deep postseason run? And how hard are they going to try this weekend against the Diamondbacks with the division now out of reach? And is Michael King's breakout enough to make the Juan Soto trade a success?  SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKaPEqS_Mc6eGNNBQN1QgQw Website: http://gophnx.com/ PHNX Locker: PHNXLocker.com Social Twitter: @PHNX_Sports Instagram: @PHNX_Sports  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

That's why I say, and I really believe this, this team has a real shop. It's a winter world series. Welcome in to another edition of On the Record. My name is Jesse Friedman. And today I am joined by the one and only Sam Levitt, who's the pre-post radio host over for the San Diego Padres. And Sam, we have ourselves maybe the most important series that the Diamondbacks have played all year.

I imagine this probably is not the most important series that the Padres have played. all year, although there's still at least a little bit on the line for them. I guess, first of all, for you, Padres coming off a bit of a tough series in LA. They really had a shot to actually win the NL West, as crazy as that might sound during the last week of the regular season. They weren't quite able to pull that off. How do you think the team just sort of reacted to, you know, still they're making the postseason. They're definitely there, but they're not going to actually finish the job of winning the

NL West. Well, first, Jesse, thank you for having me on. I apologize for being a little bit in transit here. I'm getting ready to leave L.A. and head back to San Diego to get back on the radio for the series against the Diamondback. So I apologize for my not ideal setting here in an apartment building lobby. But about the Padres. Yeah, look, they had a great opportunity in front of them once they won that first game in L.A. Now, going and sweeping that series to take control of the NL West was always going to be a very tall order.

They did a great job winning on Tuesday night. They had a miraculous ending with the triple play. In my mind, it was always going to be a really, really tough and probably unlikely scenario that you were going to go there, sweep them and then find a way to win this division, right? And look, the Padres were at one point, 10 games out of first. first place and they played unbelievably well in the second half. They brought this thing to the final four games of the season and that says a lot right there. But to me, you know, if I'm a Padres fan, if I'm in that clubhouse right now, you've got a great opportunity this weekend in Arizona with, you know, a couple of wins to guarantee your hosting wild card series against

whomever that might be the debats, the Mets, the Braves, whoever would be coming to town. That is still very much in your control. And I think something at this point you should accomplish. So look, I think it's a host of Wild Card Series. That's kind of the next goal beyond winning the division.

And regardless, Jesse, just with the way the Padres have played, with the way this team is built, I really think they have a shot, Jesse. And look, they've got to take care of business this weekend in Arizona. But this is a really, really good Padres team.

It's well-based. It's well-rounded. They played well. They had a little stumble the last couple of days, but it's not like they got blown out in L.A. These were close games. They were really good games just from the baseball standpoint. So if I'm a San Diego Padre right now,

the mindset, the goal hasn't changed. You've got a nice opportunity to sort of take care of business in Arizona with a winner or two. And then you get focused on a postseason run. And to me, this Padre's team has, It's a very, very good opportunity in front of them with the team they have to go on a deep run. I really believe that. I'm certainly bullish on the Padres and what they could maybe accomplish in the postseason.

We'll get to that more here in a second. But talking about this weekend, you mentioned that the Padres, they're not out of the woods yet, at least in terms of clinching home field advantage in that wild card series. The Diamondbacks could catch them. If the Diamondbacks sweep this series somehow, then they would actually. catch up to the Padres and the standings and also have the tiebreaker. So the D-Backs could still host the Wild Card Series is as crazy as that sounds right now with them kind of fighting for their lives.

I know the Mets also have an opportunity to catch San Diego as of this point. So along those lines, I guess my question to you is how seriously do you think the Padres are taking this weekend? Are they taking the foot off the gas at all now that the division is not on the table? I know they move U. Darvish up. It looked like Martin Perez was maybe a. slated or at least lined up to start Friday, they move Darvish up. So I guess I'm maybe led to believe that the Padres are still kind of trying to full

throttle this thing. Yeah, I think they're full throttle, Jesse, until they clinch that home field advantage. Now, if that happens, that could happen tonight with the Padres win and a Mets lost. The Padres need two wins to clinch that home field. I think once they get that, they'll take their foot off the gas pedal clearly because there'll be nothing else to play for, but I don't think there's really any scenario where, you know, they don't value getting that home field. You know, you want that top wild card spot. You know, the environment at Petco Park is in my mind. And now they're, they're doing some gardening outside.

So I didn't, I didn't factor all this in when I took this spot. But anyway, so hopefully you can still hear me. We got it. But, no, I think getting home field is a priority for this, for this team. And I think the environment at Petco Park has a lot to do with that. Look, right now they've got a nice cushion. I mean, they would have to really have a few things go wrong, including the Padres not playing well in Arizona to not take that, take that, you know, home field. So I think it's going to be full throttle until they get there.

look, they could certainly use to give some guys some rest. They could certainly use to line up their rotation the way they would want for Tuesday. And part of that's going to be determined by how all out they have to go throughout this weekend. But Jesse, I get the sense they want that home field that I think they're going to play like it and operate like it until that's all said and done. I think the last time we did a series preview with you was maybe back in May. And certainly the Padres were in a very different spot then. The Diamondbacks were as well.

just about a month into the season. But the Padres have obviously come on strong here in the second half. I mean, they've been the hottest team in the league here for a while now. The Diamondbacks have kind of been up there with them, but the Padres have certainly taken a bit of a lead here recently. What do you attribute this to, Sam? I mean, I think back to last year's Padres team, and it felt like they had a lot of talent, but they almost couldn't get out of their own way at times. And they would find ways to lose games. And this team seems like the exact opposite of that. Yeah, they've had a wonderful

second half, and I think the real magic to it, and you're right, they sat at 50 and 50 at one point, and now they're sitting with three games to go, a chance to, you know, if they win all three this week in Arizona, win 94 games. So they've had a wonderful second

half. I think the thing about it is it's not one thing. It's not one thing. It's been a really well-rounded surge, whether you want to talk about getting healthy in the rotation. Michael King, for the most part, has been great. Dylan Cs has been a little bit more up and down,

but has some stretches where he's been unbelievable, getting you Darvish and Joe Musgrove back healthy, has been huge. Joe, really aside from one blow-up inning against the Giants, when the home run he gave up to Will Smith last night, Joe's been sensational. I mean, he looks like, he looks like the absolute best version of Joe Musgrove since he's come off the IEL.

And to me, Joe's a big game pitcher. So that's a big deal. Udarvish is healthy. He's looked pretty good as of late. So in the rotation, they got healthy. Martin Perez, you mentioned him. You know, he came over as a guy that he felt like at the very least could just eat up innings for a rotation that sort of needed it.

He's been well beyond that. I mean, he's eating up innings, but he's also been really, really effective. So look, the rotation is taking a major step forward and they're healthy. The bullpen editions of Adam, Scott, and Hoeing were huge. I mean, Jason Adams has been unbelievable. Tanner Scott's had a couple of hiccups, but for the most part, he's been really good. Brian Hoeing has been really important and good for this bullpen. They do have Jeremiah Estrada.

They do have Adrian Moroan, who have been big pieces to their bullpen. Robert Suarez has stumbled quite a bit more than what he did in the first half of the season. So that's one of the concerns heading into the postseason. for the Padres is getting Suarez right again. But you list all those names, whether it's Suarez or Adam or Scott or Moroan or Schroeder or Hoing. Those are all high leverage guys who have put together really nice years. It gives you an idea of how deep their bullpen is. And from an offensive standpoint, Jesse, they hit all here. And they got Fernando Tati's Jr. back. And he's played really well since coming off the IL. Mani Machado turned it on.

in the middle of June. And he has been one of the best players in the National League for three plus months. You know, after a really slow start in dealing with coming off the elbow surgery, you know, the additions of a rise. And, you know, the list goes on and on offensively. The contributions of guys like Solano and Peralta, obviously Jackson Merrill having a rookie the year caliber season. Offensively, they've been really good all year. And it just has all come together in the second half. That's why I say, and I really believe this, this team has a real shot to win a World Series.

Yeah. You know, wild card round, things get a little wacky. You lose the first game. Who knows what happens? But I say this with confidence, and obviously I have no idea what's going to happen. Nobody does. But do I think this team on paper is built well enough, has played well enough together, where they have a real shot to actually go and win this thing?

I do. I do. I think they've been that good, especially. in the second half and I think they're that deep and that well built. So I know that was sort of a long answer, but it kind of illustrates like the second half of the season to me has not been about one thing. It's in a combination of all those things and that's how you have the type of second half, the Padres have had.

So I guess just looking ahead in this series, we only know the Friday starters as of right now. We know you Darvish. We know Merrill Kelly. If this series continues to be relevant for the Padres beyond today, which I guess would assume a Diamondbacks win in the first game. What do you think the rotation for San Diego looks like the rest of the weekend? I guess Michael King maybe lines up for Saturday.

What do you think this could look like? Well, King pitched on Tuesday. So that would give him Wednesday, Thursday. So he would be on four days rest on Sunday, right? So they're not going to bring them back before Sunday. So I would assume that if these games mattered Saturday and Sunday, I would assume probably tomorrow is. Martin Perez and probably Sunday is Michael King.

And, you know, look, I think the Padres ideally would like those two games not to matter, right? That way you can line up your rotation because if King pitches Sunday, he's not coming back on Tuesday. Right. And, you know, starting game one of a Wild Guard series. In fact, I mean, he's not going to be able to pitch until unless they're pitching him on three days rest on Thursday. So who knows if Michael King starts a beam in the Wild Card series if he has to pitch on Sunday. So to me, there's quite a bit of incentive for the Padres to, you know, take care of business, at least before Sunday.

You know, maybe you're not panicking at Martin Perez as to start tomorrow. But I would imagine it would be Perez tomorrow and it would be King on Sunday if these two games matter for the Padres. If not, then, you know, you throw everything out the window because then it becomes about how they want to set up things for the Wild Card Series getting guys rest. But the only thing that would really make sense to me right now, now, you know, especially considering the Padres aren't fighting for their playoff lives. They're fighting for seating would be Paris tomorrow and King on Sunday.

But to me, that's why it was TBD, you know, for the next two days because, you know, you just don't know what the games are going to mean. And obviously that can change. But for home field advantage, I would think, you know, the Padres would still probably throw Michael King on Sunday, even if, you know, they're only playing for home field. It's an interesting decision though, right? You know, as you try to line things up. But we'll see what happens. It's a good question. And I think right now you can't say anything with total certainty, which is why it was TBD.

You mentioned Michael King and how he's the guy that you would want on the mound for this team if home field advantage was on the line on Sunday. I mean, he's 13 and 9 with a 2.95 ERA. I remember when the Diamondbacks were in San Diego in early July. And I think King maybe had a need. ERA somewhere in the fours. And in my head, he was sort of the Padres, Brandon fought. There were a lot of similarities between those two guys, you know,

certainly kind of up-and-coming pitchers, somewhat similar arsenals with the sweeper and the change-up and whatnot. But King has just totally taken off here in the second half of the season. And I have to imagine for Padres fans, this validates trading Juan Soto, right? I mean, this is what you, if it's possible to win a trade where you're giving up one of the best players in baseball, ball. I mean, this is kind of what it looks like, right? I mean, King, a sub three ERA starting

pitcher that you have team control over for several more seasons. Do you think that this, this makes that trade a win or how do Padres fans kind of view that trade at this point? Yeah, I think if you look at it from this perspective, it's a total win. Michael King was the centerpiece of the deal, right? He was the guy that the Padres felt like in a full-time starting role could be a great starting pitcher. Right. And they were right. King got off. to an up and down start, was giving up a lot of home runs early, but also showed flashes of dominance early on as well. And then after about two months of the season,

I mean, he settled in in a huge way. And, you know, look, there's always been the innings concern with him because he's doing something he's never done in the major leagues before, which has been a starting pitcher for a full season. And from the start of a season, he keeps on pitching, and the results have got better and better and better. I mean, he put an innings number. or a goal of 180 in spring training,

and he's going to end up being pretty close to that. So credit to him and the effectiveness has been there. So I think if you look at it from the perspective of he was the centerpiece of the deal, and to this point, that part of it has worked out beautifully. And the Padres have him for next year as well. I think Michael King, he has shown this season, like he has saw Young Calibur stuff and potential. I mean that.

Okay, for him to do what he's done in his first full season as a starting pitcher is remarkable. He's been their best starting pitcher, wire to wire this year. To me, he's been the best guy out of this rotation. So I think you have to be very happy with that from the trade perspective. You know, keep in mind the Padres also used Drew Thorpe, a big prospect in that trade from the Yankees. They flipped him. He was a big part of the Dillon C's trade. So there's a lot of different, you know, different tentacles to the Soto Dioch.

right about you know having Thorpe be part of the cease trade king being the centerpiece of your rotation this year and next year um you know if Randy Vasquez and Johnny Brito you know end up being contributors that's another part of it and Kyle Higashioca don't overlook that you know Higgy has a really a really good defensive catcher for this team he's got a career high 16 home runs he's provided power I think he's a really good clubhouse presence so you know to lose one year of Soto and get back what they got back, you know, including the C-Steel, because I think you have to mention that in all this in a way. Jesse, I think at hindsight, they did very, very well in that trade. Remember, it was only one year of Soto, a big year of Soto, but one year of Soto,

I think they did very, very well. And Michael King, to your point, is a huge, huge part of that. You Darvish is 38 years old, and yet I look at his recent numbers since coming off the injured list, and it's sort of exactly what I would always expect from you Darvish. What is he look like at this stage in his career? I have a hard time believing that U. Darvish of 2024 is the same as, you know, U. Darvish of 2017, who helped knock out the Diamondbacks and the NLDS back when he was with the Dodgers. But based on the numbers, the results. still look really excellent.

Yeah, you know, I think when the Padre signed you to that extension, you know, a couple of years ago, you know, I think they felt like you was going to be somebody who aged really well. And that is because he throws a variety of different pitches. He's incredibly smart in the way he goes about his work. He's a tremendously hard and consistent worker. And he just felt like even as he edged towards 40 years old, he was somebody that. that was going to age well as a starting pitcher because of all those things.

And look, he had some injury stuff go on earlier this year. He missed a lot of time, you know, dealing with a personal matter. Since coming back, he slowly got better and better. And, you know, I think you would have a pretty good amount of confidence in him in a playoff start right now. But he's getting it done the way he always gets it done. I mean, mixing his pitches. He's so smart, you know, he takes advantage of, of, of,

lineups that don't have as much experience. You know, he's, he's doing it the way he's always done it. So, yeah, you're right. I'm not super surprised that he continues to get better and better as he gets built back up. The results have got better and better as he's come off the restricted list and come off the injuries. And I think the key for him is continue to stay healthy, continue to do what he's done. But I think that's what the Padres envisioned when they sign him to that extension was that he was going to age really well. And, you know, it's always fun to watch you because he does it a little bit differently every game. And that's what he's done pretty much as of late. So we'll see what he does here tonight against the Diamondbacks. Obviously, it's a big

start. But I think the Padres have a lot of confidence in you, Darbish. And look, if they can line up the rotation the way they want for the Wild Card series, it's going to be a fascinating question as to what they do because hypothetically they have Darvish, they have King, they have ceased, they have Musgrove. If they're all available, you've only got three games in a wildcard series. So it's actually one of the sort of burning questions right now with Poplarais is like, okay, who would be the odd man out? If he can line it up the way you would want because, you know, if King pitches Sunday,

then that takes care of part of it. But, you know, King is somebody who has a lot of experience coming out of the bullpen. he's also been your best starting pitcher all year, you know, most consistent and most available. So it's going to be an interesting decision. But I think there's a very good chance that you, Darvish starts one of those playoff games. And he's certainly very capable of putting together dominant outing. Still, there's no doubt about that. Imagine having too much starting pitching.

I know the Diamondbacks are certainly, certainly envious of that as are a number of other teams around the league. This should be a fascinating weekend to watch the Diamondbacks are, of course, playing for their lives, as we've discussed on our show. DeBack sweep this series. They're in the postseason, anything less than that. They're going to need some help from other teams. There's a lot of different scenarios that we walked through on our show yesterday. The Padres, as we've discussed here, are just looking to secure home field advantage. Maybe they would tap the brakes a little bit after that point.

It should be a lot of fun to watch, Sam. We're looking forward to it, of course, and always appreciate your time hopping on here with us. Jesse, absolutely. Again, I apologize for my location here. We've got leaf blowers going on. I've got phone alarms going off. We've got people walking around. So hopefully you could hear me okay. But I'm with you. It should be a really fun series. Obviously, there's still a lot to play for for both these teams. And, you know, I'm looking forward to it. And then we get to, you know, the real fun beginning on Tuesday with the Wild Card series. So hope you enjoy it and appreciate it as always. Thanks, Sam. Like the mayor