The San Diego Padres will hit the road starting this evening as they begin a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies in Denver. It’s no secret that the ball flies at Coors Field, and that will likely be the case when the Padres head to Mexico City for a two-game set later this week against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Needless to say, this is a clear opportunity for a talented yet struggling lineup to find their power stroke in two cities where the altitude is very high. Manny Machado believes these upcoming five games are exactly what San Diego needs to find an offensive rhythm.
“It’s going to be (expletive) great,” Machado said, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune. “It’s going to be a nice week.”
Offensive Breakout for San Diego Padres?
GettyGavin Sheets #30, Fernando Tatis Jr. #23, Manny Machado #13 and Jake Cronenworth #9 swarm a jubilant Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres after his walk off double during the ninth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park on April 15, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Padres have been underwhelming at the dish so far. They’re 15th in runs scored, 17th in team average, 19th in hits, and just 25th in home runs, clubbing only 17 bombs. That’s a disappointment for a lineup that has the likes of Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, Jackson Merrill, and Nick Castellanos.
However, whenever any team plays at Coors Field, the topic of discussion becomes the potential of breaking out offensively. I mean, the baseball absolutely flies in Denver. A casual fly ball can leave the yard. The Padres are slugging nearly .500 at Coors across 414 games.
As for the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in Mexico City, it’s not just at a high altitude. The surface is also turf, which means the baseball skips and moves faster than it would on grass.
The last time the Padres played there, they combined for 11 home runs with the San Francisco Giants in the series opener.
“I hit a homer, I thought the ball was maybe a double and it just went over,” said Bogaerts of that series.
“Just hit up in the air,” Machado said. “That’s how we were thinking, just get the ball in the air. Even ground balls. I mean, it doesn’t even matter. Just try to hit the ball forward. You get it in the air and the ball is going to go. But there are a lot of hits there.”
Padres’ Pitching Carrying Them
GettyMichael King #34 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 8, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Despite San Diego’s offensive inconsistencies, their 3.36 staff ERA has powered this team to a 15-7 record. They’re also 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Rockies are obviously a nightmare as usual, and Tatis and Machado have an impressive track record at Coors Field.
Tatis, in particular, has yet to homer this season, so this is the perfect time. San Diego, despite being in the midst of a two-game winning streak, has scored only six runs during that span.
Needless to say, this Rockies series couldn’t come at a better time, and neither could Mexico City.
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