However, according to a report from MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Padres got some bad news on the availability of their top trade target, Boston Red Sox outfielder and All-Star Game MVP, Jarren Duran.

Michael McGreevy and the Cardinals wrap up a fiery four-game home series vs. the Padres with Sunday's 1:15 p.m. start at Busch Stadium.

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Two years after their payroll peaked, the San Diego Padres' financial outlook remains a source of fascination to people within Major League Baseball leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

The circumstances were, uh, just a little bit different five years ago when then-Padres manager Jayce Tingler called on little-known utility player Jake Cronenworth as a pinch-runner in a game against the Diamondbacks.

After simulating every MLB game 10,000 times, the SportsLine Projection Model has identified the three best pitcher strikeout props for Friday's 15-game schedule

A year later, the Padres find themselves in slightly better standing. They are 55-49, one game ahead of their 54-50 record last July 24. They are also entering dangerous territory. The wins and losses tell a story of year-over-year improvement. The recent trend lines do not.

Manny Machado had two hits and was twice hit by pitches, and San Diego and St. Louis cleared the benches in the ninth inning in the Padres’ 3-1 victory over the Cardinals on Saturday night.