MLB analyst backs San Diego Padres to make another postseason run

MLB analyst Jim Duquette has tipped the San Diego Padres to make another postseason run in 2023.

The Padres have been on the rise in recent years, and their success in the 2022 MLB season was a testament to their potential. They finished with a record of 89-73 and made the NL Championship Series, where they were knocked out by the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, with their young and talented roster, it's easy to see why MLB analysts are backing the Padres to make another postseason run in 2023. Duquette Duquette reckons the San Diego Padres can improve on what they did last year due to their experience of playing in the postseason, saying on MLB Radio:

"The experience of getting to the postseason and getting to that round helps you a lot."

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San Diego Padres have all tools for another deep postseson run

One of the biggest reasons why the Padres are considered contenders is their strong pitching staff. One of their top pitchers is Yu Darvish, who they acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2021 season. He's a proven veteran who can anchor the rotation and give them a chance to win when he takes the mound.

Apart from Darvish, they have several other talented pitchers who can make a big impact. Blake Snell, who was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, has the potential to be a dominant starter.

Of course, pitching isn't the only thing that wins games, and the Padres have a strong lineup too. One of their biggest stars is Fernando Tatis Jr., who is considered one of the best young players in the game. Tatis had a breakout season in 2019 and followed up with another strong year in 2021.

Tatis isn't the only talented hitter on their roster. Manny Machado is a proven veteran who has been one of the best third basemen in the game for several years now. They also have several other young hitters who could take big steps forward in 2023, including Trent Grisham, Jake Cronenworth, and Ha-Seong Kim.

Of course, making the playoffs is never a sure thing in baseball, and the Padres will face plenty of challenges in the 2023 MLB season. The National League West is one of the toughest divisions in baseball, with the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants both expected to be contenders again in 2023.