The San Diego Padres started their current road trip versus the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals with a lead over the San Francisco Giants and Cardinals in the Wild Card race. In fact, on July 21 they were 3.5 games up on the Giants, Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.
After taking two of three from the Nationals, the Padres lost two of three to the Marlins and also lost the first two games of the Cardinals series. They have not lost the last Wild Card spot but they have relinquished their significant lead. Both the Giants and Cardinals have had losing records over the past ten games, which has aided the Padres in staying ahead.