Padres Close Gap on Dodgers with Stellar Rookie Performance

The San Diego Padres are impressively getting closer to the los angeles dodgers at the top of the MLB standings in the NL West. They won 16 of their last 20 games since the All-Star break, and they are now just 3.5 games behind the Dodgers. Moreover, their recent success has also lifted the Padres three places up in the USA TODAY Sports power rankings.

One of the driving forces behind their gains in the standings and rankings is rookie Jackson Merrill. He made an easy switch from shortstop to the center field and “hit five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later” this season. Therefore, if Merrill’s form continues, he is likely to become one of the biggest contenders for top NL rookie honors. Furthermore, another factor contributing to their improved performance is the fact that the Padres lead the majors in team batting average, which is an achievement not recorded even when Tony Gwynn was playing for the Padres. This combination of a rookie’s impressive season and the highest team batting average in the majors signal their serious prospects and success as they are catching up to the top place in the division.