Juan Soto's hot streak ahead of key series with Dodgers has San Diego Padres fans laughing: "Dodgers gonna have October flashbacks"
The San Diego Padres are heating up, led by Juan Soto. Soto finally looks somewhat like the player they traded for at the deadline last year. He had struggled for much of last season and into this one, but it appears his swing has returned. It couldn't come at a better time for the Padres, who have meandered to a 17-15 record thus far.
Juan Soto is heating up just in time for a Rivalry Week series opener against the Dodgers tomorrow 👀
@Padres | #BringTheGold https://t.co/dG8ZdtphOu
They're two games behind the Dodgers in the NL West coming into the series. They could emerge the division leaders or buried even further, so this is a pretty big series — even for early May.
Despite the deficit, Soto's hot play has Padres fans feeling good. They believe in their team and they believe that they're going to come out on top. Recent history is, according to them, on their side.
@MLBNetwork @Padres Not a rivalry, padres own the dodgers
@MLBNetwork @Padres Dodgers gonna have October flashbacks.
@MLBNetwork @Padres Dodgers got embarrassed by the padres when the games actually mattered, it’s definitely not a rivalry.
@MLBNetwork @Padres Lol stop with the rivalry week bullshit😂😂😂
@MLBNetwork @Padres Not a rivalry when the Padres just simply own the Dodgers
@MLBNetwork @Padres ITS NOT A RIVALRY
@MLBNetwork @Padres Listen, I don’t know where you’re getting this “rivalry” nonsense from. These two teams have never been rivals, and they probably never will be. Don’t believe me? Ask any dodgers fan who’s been watching baseball for 10 years.
@MLBNetwork @Padres 9 walks in his last 6 games is insane, also an added 9 hits on top makes it more insane
@MLBNetwork @Padres How is it a rivalry? Scenes from the last game.. https://t.co/krPWpiMRsF
@MLBNetwork @Padres The Champ is back! https://t.co/AN0piYv3Bx
@MLBNetwork @CapuchinSD @Padres Not a real rivalry. LA needs to beat us in a playoff series first
The Padres shockingly ousted the 111-win Dodgers last year in the NLDS. They made quick work of their division rival, winning in four games. That alone has Padres fans feeling confident and perhaps the outcome of this particular series doesn't matter.
Regardless, the Padres are back at full strength with Fernando Tatis Jr. in the lineup and Juan Soto playing like he can. Perhaps only a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers can send the Padres fanbase back down to earth.
Why are the San Diego Padres barely above .500?
The San Diego Padres have not had a great start to the season. Pegged by many as the favorites to win the National League after a stellar offseason, the team has limped out to a 17-15 record.
While that certainly isn't bad, it's not what anyone expected from them, least of all their fans. The biggest reason is inconsistency. The lineup, especially stars like Juan Soto and Manny Machado, have not been remotely consistent.
It also doesn't help that Fernando Tatis Jr. missed a chunk of the regular season with his PED suspension. Now that they're back to full strength, they should begin to resemble the team they were expected to be this year.