If only everyone were as prepared for the pandemic as the Padres.
“I don’t know if A.J. knew this would happen in the offseason or what,” reliever Craig Stammen said with a laugh. “He built our team for a sprint, essentially. Maybe this schedule is just what we need to get the Padres organization back in the playoffs. It’s going to be fun.”
His point was that a deep and talented bullpen, bolstered by two of General Manager A.J. Preller’s offseason acquisitions, has the makings of a significant advantage in a 60-game season wherein every game could be considered part of a playoff race.