End of the Road 2015: San Diego Padres

As a direct result of the Cubs victory in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, the San Diego Padres have been mathematically eliminated from the MLB postseason, meaning that they’ve effectively come to end of the road in their 2015 season. As we’ll do with each eliminated team this season, let’s give them a send-off that would make Boyz II Men proud.

We’ll look at the highs and lows of their season, what bright spots their future might hold and what questions need answering as they prepare for 2016.

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HIGH POINT: There was a very short stretch this season where it looked like A.J. Preller’s aggressive offseason would pay off. That stretch lasted all of three days from April 19-21, when San Diego held a share of first place in the NL West. The Padres also enjoyed a 9-2 stretch in August, including a pair of runaway victories against St. Louis. It wasn’t enough to get them on the postseason radar again, but it put them on the cusp of the elusive.500 pleateau.

LOW POINT: The Padres season, as a whole, would be considered nothing less than a major disappointment. However, the wheels really came off in June, which coincides with the firing of manager Bud Black. When Black was let go on June 16, the Padres were 32-33. By July 10, they were 39-49, which stands as their low water mark for the season. Like many of Preller’s big moves over the past 12 months, his decision appeared to backfire.

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BEST HIGHLIGHT: As of Aug. 14, the Padres were the only franchise in MLB without a no-hitter and one of only two franchises without a cycle, along with the Miami Marlins. Thanks to Matt Kemp they were finally able to cross the latter off the list in a win against the Colorado Rockies. Phillies, Braves, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers..

Up next: The Arizona Diamondbacks were officially eliminated on Friday. The Oakland Athletics will be next in line.

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