Padres 2, Mariners 0

Way to start a road trip, especially after the Brewers had already beaten the Cardinals and further threatened to cut into our lead.

Darvish went eight, giving up two hits and no walks while striking out seven. He has been lights out down the stretch, unlike last year, when he collapsed with the rest of the team. He has 14 wins, the only Padres starter in double digits. That brings us to the rest of the rotation: who comes after Darvish? Musgrove, formerly our ace, is now average, at best. Snell could probably bring it in the playoffs, but he can pitch six and then it's fingers crossed for the bullpen. MacKenzie Gore was the secret sauce earlier in the season that had us dreaming of bigger and better things, but he is gone and figures to play a key role in the Nats' future. He was the one player I didn't want to give up. On the plus side, Hader got the save while striking out the side. He might just be a weapon for us yet.

Which brings us to the Nationals we received in the big trade. Both Soto and Bell have been a trainwreck and planewreck, and I'll let the Friars faithful decide who is which. Maybe they are waiting for the playoffs, although I hope they realize we need to make it there first, which is no gimme when you look at the remainder of our schedule. All things considered, I applaud the trade, although it hasn't panned out. Both Luke Voit and Eric Hosmer were dead weight, we thought we could do better and acted accordingly. But if all that buys us in the end is a six seed and a first-round exit, then Uncle Pete will need to make some decisions. 

I have a nasty feeling about our manager, Bob Melvin. It seems that he and the team don't click. Okay, so Melvin could always play with underachievers and low budgets, but now his billion-dollar ball club is underachieving and can't even play the most fundamental winning baseball. The clock might be ticking for him, too. Something about him and the GM just doesn't feel right on this team.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have clinched the division with 20 games left to go, and they deserve it. Their playoff history concerns me somewhat, 2020 aside here, and it looks like their starting pitching might be vulnerable. It seems to me they and the Braves are destined to meet again for the pennant. Everybody, including the Mets, are a cut below them.