At some point in the next two weeks, the Padres' decision makers will sit down to map out the team’s first postseason roster in 14 years.
Among the possible reasons for such an early exit, an ankle sprain qualifies as something of a best-case scenario. Still, it brings forth further questions about where Paddack might fit come October. He was the Padres’ Opening Day starter, but through 10 starts, he owns a 4.74 ERA -- the highest mark among the current five-man rotation.\n\nBut Tingler expressed optimism based on Paddack’s first inning Thursday night. He retired the Giants in order, striking out their two best hitters, Mike Yastrzemski and Donovan Solano.\n\n“We're hoping for the best and hoping he can make that next start,” Tingler said. “But just watching his first inning and how crisp he was with his fastball and the changeup … we know it's there. From that part, we don't really have much concern. Our concern now is with the ankle.”\n\nEven if Paddack recovers, he might only have one more start before San Diego begins aligning its postseason rotation. After their series against the Dodgers next week, the Padres have three off-days in the last 11 days of the regular season. In all likelihood, next Friday in Seattle is when they’ll start adjusting the order of their rotation to account for the postseason.\n\nPaddack’s final few starts were supposed to serve as a barometer for his postseason readiness. Those questions won’t be answered so long as he’s sidelined.
\n\nOne game at a time ☝#PadresWin pic.twitter.com/cE6KvdX3mp
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 11, 2020
**Oña on the board**\n\n
Statcast pegged the blast at 414 feet -- a no-doubter from the moment it left his bat. It was, in a nutshell, precisely why Oña is here in the first place. The 23-year-old slugger has ridiculous power, particularly against left-handed pitching.\n\n“We see BP, we see what he does, we know the power’s there,” Tingler said. “But it’s another thing to take it into the game.”\n\nOña is the second Padre in the past six days to record his first big league hit via the long ball. Luis Campusano went deep on Friday in Oakland, before he landed on the IL two days later with a sprained left wrist.\n\nBefore Campusano, no Padre had homered for his first big league hit since Patrick Kivlehan in 2016.
\n\nLuis Campusano: Sept. 4
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 11, 2020
Jorge Oña: Sept. 10
It’s the first time in #Padres history that two players homered for their first Major League hit within a week’s time.#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/4I9iI58S6i
**Manny does it all**\n\nFernando Tatis Jr. is the frontrunner, but he’s not the only National League MVP Award candidate on the left side of the Padres' infield.