Machado warns – Manny Machado says he’s not worried about the Padres’ offensive struggles and expects their bats to “break out” against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game home series. With San Diego still afloat despite injuries and uneven production, the matchup carries
The Padres are opening their big three-game home series against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers this week, and the timing couldn’t be sharper. San Diego has stayed alive in the National League West standings even as injuries have piled up and the offense hasn’t been consistent.
For much of the season, it’s been Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill shouldering attention—yet the lineup hasn’t always delivered the results you’d expect from players of their caliber. Still, San Diego has managed to win despite offensive problems.
Now, Machado is speaking as if the next stretch has to feel different.
Ahead of the Dodgers series, Machado sent what amounted to a warning to the league. He told the San Diego Union-Tribune: “We’re going to hit.” He added. “I have no worries that we’re not going to hit. We’re great hitters. We’re up here for a reason. We are who we are for a reason. It’s just a matter of time for us to break out again and to get rolling. and it’s going to be fun when we do it. It’s going to be even better.”.
He also acknowledged how uneven things have been on the offensive side, saying, “It’s been amazing to be a part of this so far, and where we are right now, and we really haven’t been contributing.”
That confidence comes with the numbers. On the year, Machado has hit .182 with six home runs and 20 runs batted in, while posting an OPS of .604. It’s a strange start for the All-Star, and San Diego has had to withstand those struggles at the plate.
Machado insists the turnaround is coming—but he also knows the team can’t afford to wait for comfort. For the Padres to win, he understands he’ll have to contribute.
“It’s coming,” Machado said.
The stakes are obvious on the field, and they’re felt in the standings, too. Even with San Diego keeping pace, the team will need contributions from the top of their lineup. And with the Dodgers in town at Petco Park. the Padres have an opportunity that doesn’t come around every day—making a statement early in the year against a rival.
Entering the series, the Dodgers lead the division by a half a game. That detail matters because it gives San Diego something tangible to chase over the next few days: the chance to take sole possession of first place.
Machado’s message lands in that context. The offense hasn’t been clicking the way it should have. and the injuries and inconsistency haven’t made it any easier. But when the first pitch of this home set arrives. the Padres won’t just be trying to win a series. They’ll be trying to prove the “time” Machado believes in is finally here—and that the bats will show up when the calendar turns toward the games that define seasons.
Padres Manny Machado Dodgers Petco Park National League West Fernando Tatis Jr Jackson Merrill three-game series
Lol Machado says they’re gonna hit… sure.
I mean he can say whatever but .182 is yikes. Dodgers pitching isn’t gonna just let that happen.
Wait so he’s basically blaming the team for not contributing and then promising a “breakout”? Sounds like the same speech every year. Also I feel like Tatis should be doing more than “shouldering attention” like the article says… injuries or not.
Manny talking like the bats are gonna magically wake up at home?? Like the stadium has a setting or something. I swear teams say “we’re great hitters” and then go 1-for-20 the next day. Also didn’t the Padres offense start hot then fall off, so idk why everyone’s acting like timing couldn’t be sharper.