The Padres were supposed to be a mess this year. But thanks to an unstoppable start, star power veterans, and some of the best young talent in the league, this has been a season to binge. When it comes to a World Series run, fans may still sometimes feel like cats in a room full of rocking chairs, but we’re glued to the show, and the Pads are packing Petco. It’s been a hell of a carnival.
After a 2024 season that crescendoed into the playoffs with the highest of high drama, only to end in a whimper, the team entered 2025 under a storm cloud. In the aftermath of beloved owner Peter Seidler’s death, the club’s front office had started to resemble a Succession spinoff. Lawsuits, power struggles, mysterious silence from the top—the vibes seemed cursed, unbefitting men of the cloth. 2025 appeared doomed to play out like a tedious hangover.
But, somehow, they kicked down the doors. The team opened this season 5–0, then hit 13–3, then went nuclear with a 11–0 home streak. Suddenly, this team that was supposed to be in a rebuilding phase became MLB trivia fodder: best start in franchise history, first team since the ’66 Indians with six shutouts in 16 games. And as of press time, the team leads the league in shutouts with 13.
Manny Machado has been Manny Machado. He smacked his 350th career homer, got his 2,000th hit, and was voted starting third basemen for the NL All-Star team. Elite. Jackson Merrill is building on his legendary rookie campaign and has committed his career to the Padres, signing on to a nine year, $135 million contract extension. Fernando Tatis Jr. started the season playing at an MVP level and was rewarded with a trip to his third All-Star game. Relievers Jason Adam and Robert Suárez are also headed to the Midsummer Classic.
And the city is showing up like it’s 1998 all over again. Petco is packed tighter than the 8 East at rush hour. It’s Mission Beach on the Fourth of July every home game—beach balls flying, swagger in the stands. SD is ranked third in the league for overall attendance this year. You’d think a fanbase that’s been through recurring heartbreak and an ownership system error might back off. Instead, they’re louder and more eager than ever.
This season shouldn’t be happening. But here we are, with a team worth celebrating. The Padres are chaotic, occasionally frustrating, and eminently watchable. SD didn’t merely get a solid baseball team this year. We got prestige programming. Now we just need that deep playoff run.
Q&A with Manny Machado
You’ve had an electric start this season—the best in team history. What changed?
I think it was kind of just a little bounce-back from last year. We had such a good year, but we fell short. So we really wanted to start this season on the right foot. That’s all we were talking about during spring training: “How can we be better than last year?” Once we got back to Petco and felt the energy of the fans and the city, we just hit the ground rolling.
Where do you like to eat around town?
I love pizza, so I go to Garage [Kitchen + Bar in the Gaslamp]. That’s one of my favorite spots. I keep it simple—pepperoni or cheese. Barbusa [in Little Italy] is another. The hospitality there is unreal. I’ve gone three times and haven’t even looked at a menu—they just send food out. Everything they bring is awesome. The Henry [in Coronado] is the same way—great people, great energy. I’ve always been that guy who sticks to a few good places.
What’s your pregame routine like? Any rituals?
I always listen to music. We’ve got a solid playlist in the clubhouse—Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, Rick Ross. That’s the rotation.
Do you have a go-to pregame meal?
Coffee. Always a latte. I make it at home. I’ve been working on my latte art. Sometimes it looks like a flower; sometimes it just looks like… something.
Do you have a guilty-pleasure snack?
It used to be Skittles, Goldfish, Cheez-Its. I’ve cut most of that out. But McDonald’s? That’s the one I can’t give up.
Have you ever had one of those surreal, slow-motion moments during a game?
Definitely. Big homers tend to do that. The walk-off we had here last year. A walk-off against the Giants. My three-homer game in Baltimore—my third was a grand slam. It’s like everything just slows down. You instantly know what’s going to happen. It’s kind of crazy.
If you could play catch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Roberto Clemente. Not just for what he did on the field, but to pick his brain about what he did for Puerto Rico and the community. What he did was special. He influenced so many of us.
Are ghosts real?
Yeah. I’ve seen one. It was actually my grandfather, at my house. Not haunted or anything—just him saying hello.
Q&A with Jackson Merrill
You guys came out blazing this season. What made the start so strong?
We wanted to hit the ground running. We didn’t want to be lackadaisical out there—we wanted to be dominant. Just play good baseball together, the way it’s supposed to be played.
What do you like to do when you’re not at the ballpark?
I like to drive around, go shopping a little, go to the beach. Mission Beach is fun. There are arcades and a roller coaster—I haven’t ridden it yet, but that’s my next stop. And, honestly, just walking around. It’s beautiful every day, so that’s one of the best parts of the day.
Where do you like to walk?
I live downtown right now, but we’re moving soon—undisclosed. My girlfriend likes to walk to Seaport Village, so I follow her sometimes. But anywhere downtown is fun. It’s always active. Good to see people out.
Is there something you crave when you come back to San Diego after a road trip?
Tacos El Gordo is always open, like until 2 or 3 a.m., so if I’ve got cravings, I go there. But I go to Barbusa in Little Italy the most. That’s my spot. Really good Italian food—and really good people. I get the vodka pasta, but I throw chicken in there to spice it up. The appetizers are unbelievable— lamb chops, meatballs, bone marrow. I wouldn’t say there’s a bad appetizer on the menu.
Any other favorite spots?
Lucky’s [Lunch Counter in] downtown is a good breakfast spot. That’s more of a day game thing, since most of our games are at night. Sometimes I get the burrito, but I also go for the Lucky’s Special—kind of an American breakfast with a pancake on the side. The pancakes are really good.
Any guilty-pleasure snacks?
I used to mash Hot Cheetos. But they messed my stomach up one time, and I’ve been off them ever since.
Are there any pregame rituals that have zero impact on your performance—but you still do them?
I play darts against our hitting coach, Pat O’Sullivan. Only when we’re home. I play every day before the game. Last year, it was back and forth. This year, I’ve been kind of getting beat a lot.
Have you ever had one of those moments when time slows down on the field?
Definitely the playoffs last year. Everything just moved so slow. The Wild Card games felt super long, but really they weren’t. I was just soaking it all in. It made the game more fun—and easier to play, too.
If baseball had a penalty box like hockey, what would get you in there?
Charging the mound. I feel like there’d be more fights if there were penalty boxes instead of ejections. Like, instead of getting tossed, maybe you just miss your next at-bat. That could work.
If you could play catch with anyone—living or dead—who would it be?
Dustin Pedroia. He’s been my favorite player since I was a kid. And he’s still alive, so maybe one day I’ll get the chance.
Are ghosts real?
I’ve never had an encounter, but I feel like they’re out there somewhere. So, yes.
Q&A with Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres are off to the best start in franchise history. What’s made the difference this season?
Everybody’s been committed since before spring training. Even in the offseason, we were communicating—checking in, talking about how we were getting ready. Then, we came in and clicked right away. Our manager has done a great job bringing us together. It feels more like a family this year. Really good, organic communication. That’s been the biggest thing.
When you get back to San Diego after a road trip, what’s the first thing you want to do?
I always eat at home. But just landing in San Diego—the air hits different. It’s refreshing. There’s nothing like it.
Where do you like to eat around town?
I never really had the chance to go out much over here. But I like Tacos El Gordo. I don’t go there—they bring it to me. I eat all of it: birria, carnita de res, pollo.
Do you have a go-to pregame meal?
Whatever I bring from home. I’m not picky. I just go with the flow. My aunt comes from the [Dominican Republic] and stays with me—she cooks for me.
What do you do on your days off? Where do you go to unwind?
I like to take drives. Sunset Cliffs is one of my favorite spots. And where I live, there are a lot of trails. I always walk. A lot of flowers, a lot of fruit along the way. It’s always beautiful.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals before games that probably don’t help, but you do anyway?
I drink coffee. I like a cappucino. No sugar.
Where do you get it? Any favorite shops in town?
Honestly, I just say I want coffee and someone shows up with it. It’s hard to just walk out and go get one. I try to stay low-key outside the stadium. I feel… cringey. Not for me, but for the people around. They’re like, “Who’s this guy? Why are people asking for photos?” And I’m just like, “Get me out of here.”
If sports didn’t exist, what would you be doing instead?
Living on an island. Spearfishing. Hiking. With my cows.
Do you surf?
I’m not supposed to.
When was the last time you did?
Before spring training, in the [Dominican Republic]. I got two boards this season from Rob Machado—really appreciate that. He made them here in San Diego.
Are ghosts real?
Definitely real. I’ve seen one. Back home—and in Milwaukee. The hotel there is haunted. I heard stuff, and in the shower, words came out in the fog on the mirror. That happened to me.
