What happened: Manny Machado has collected six extra-base hits over his last seven-plus games, including a home run that tied the score in the fourth inning. The surge comes as San Diego looks to its veteran third baseman to anchor a lineup that has struggled to generate consistent run production.
Why it matters: The Padres sit at 43-39 and have been fighting to stay in the playoff mix, recently slipping out of postseason position during a 13-game stretch. With the team averaging under four runs per game, a hot Machado is one of the clearest paths back to steadier offense and a stronger position in the standings.
By the numbers: San Diego is 43-39 this season, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.1, and has gone 3-2 over its last five. Machado's six extra-base hits in his last seven-plus games represent the kind of sustained production the lineup has lacked.
What to watch: Watch whether Machado can carry this stretch into a longer run and lift a Padres offense that has hovered below four runs per game.