Padres land at #4 in ESPN’s latest power rankings

The Padres punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since the 2006 season and are currently one of seven teams to have a reserved seat in the playoffs.

As the regular inches closer to its’ finale, analysts across the media landscape will continue to update and change their MLB power rankings. A Padres fans, it probably doesn’t get old seeing the Friars among the best teams in the majors on a week-to-week basis.

In ESPN’s latest installment, the Padres came in at #4 behind only the Dodgers, Rays, and White Sox.

Here’s what the ESPN.com staff had top say about the Friars’ spot on the rankings.

“A couple of weeks ago, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. looked like a lock for NL MVP. He’s slumped since then, however, and third baseman Manny Machado has passed him in OPS, home runs and RBIs, so now it looks like a four-man race for MVP honors among Tatis, Machado, Mookie Betts and Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman.”

It’s crazy to think that the Padres have two players who could be up for an award like this, but that just keeps painting the picture of the type of season San Diego has had. When their best player slumps, they’ve got another super star waiting to take the spotlight.

What a luxury.