What happened: The San Diego Padres' pitching staff has surrendered 17 home runs across its last six games while posting a 10.48 ERA. Over that same stretch, the club has failed to get at least five innings from a starter in six consecutive games, tying the longest such run in
Why it matters: The collapse comes at the worst possible time, with the Padres sitting at 43-43 and mired in a six-game losing streak. A rotation that cannot work deep into games taxes the bullpen nightly and leaves little margin as San Diego heads into another meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lead the current series 3-1.
By the numbers: Last six games: 10.48 ERA, 17 home runs allowed, and zero starts of five-plus innings — matching the franchise's longest such stretch. Season: 43-43 overall, losers of six straight, allowing 4.4 runs per game.
What to watch: Watch whether San Diego turns to a bullpen game or a roster move to stop the bleeding, and how long the rotation's inability to go five innings keeps stressing the relief corps.