MLB analyst thinks San Diego Padres could win division title for the first time in decades: "This should be San Diego's year"

The San Diego Padres overcame all expectations when they made it to the fifth game of the 2022 NLCS. Although their postseason run was ultimately unsuccessful, it energized an entire cohort of fans around the team.

In a recent phone interview with "BetQL," popular MLB analyst Jon Heyman shared his expectations for the Padres heading into the 2023 season. Heyman is very bullish on the Padres' prospects of building on their 2022 success this season.

"'This should be San Diego's year'" @JonHeyman thinks Padres (+115 @BetMGM) can finally take the NL West title from the Dodgers" - BetQL

In his interview, Heyman outlined the Los Angeles Dodgers as the biggest obstacle that the Padres will face this season. The Dodgers have carried the NL West, the division they have shared with the Padres since 2012.

Heyman highlighted some key reasons why the thinks that the San Diego Padres have the goods in 2023.

One of the Padres' key offseason retentions was that of third baseman Manny Machado. Slashing .298/.366/.531 with 32 home runs and 102 RBIs, Machado finished second in the NL MVP voting last year. To show their appreciation, the Padres inked Machado to a massive 11-year contract extension worth $300 million.

Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts represents the most exciting offseason addition to the San Diego Padres. Bogaerts has a .292 career average and has captured five Silver Slugger Awards since he broke into the MLB in 2013. The Curacaoan inked a $280 million deal with the team this offseason that will keep him around until 2034.

Additionally, the 2023 San Diego Padres cannot be considered without a brief mention of Fernando Tatis Jr. The 2021 NL home run champ missed the entirety of the 2022 season between injuries and an 80-game suspension for PED use. Tatis Jr. will be making his long-awaited return to the Padres in mid-April.

Although the San Diego Padres can hit, pitching may be a challenge

When Padres star starter Joe Musgrove announced that he would be missing significant time with a broken leg, the Padres pitching took a massive blow.

With a team ERA of 2.80, the Dodgers had the lowest number in the MLB last season. With a team ERA of 3.81, the Padres ranked 11th in baseball.

The San Diego Padres will need to find a way to close that pitching gap if they really want to snap their divisional rival's 10-year title run.