{"id":45273,"date":"2021-03-31T10:00:15","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T14:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=45273"},"modified":"2021-03-31T03:22:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T07:22:30","slug":"2021-san-diego-padres-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2021\/03\/31\/2021-san-diego-padres-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Previewing the 2021 San Diego Padres"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2021 San Diego Padres<\/a> had one of the best off-seasons in MLB history. First, they bolstered their starting rotation<\/a> to become one of the best in the league. Then they strengthened their depth<\/a> at nearly every position on the field. To top it all off, they signed their franchise star<\/a> to a 14-year contract extension.<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, the regular season is expected to be even crazier. A few storylines have emerged this spring that could make or break San Diego\u2019s 2021 campaign. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what the team will look like when Opening Day arrives on Thursday, April 1st.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Position Players<\/span><\/h2>\n

San Diego\u2019s infield defense for 2021 is likely its best ever. Of course, the all-time greats come to mind: Ozzie Smith, Ken Caminiti, Khalil Greene, Adrian Gonzalez. Even so, those legendary Padres are no match for this year’s infield defenders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With Manny Machado at third base and Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop, the left side of the field is particularly sturdy. They can each take away hits with their ability to play deep in the hole and dive across the diamond in style. After finishing third and fourth in last year\u2019s NL MVP race, this tandem is a force to be reckoned with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n