Part 5/9:
As July transitioned into August, the Padres were still hovering around .500, grappling with an uphill battle for a playoff berth. Yet, when the pressure mounted, they opted to build depth by acquiring players like Rich Hill and Gman Choi rather than making blockbuster moves. Confidence was still expressed from the clubhouse, with players like Musgrove rallying their teammates, stating, “Let’s go out on our own terms.” However, a string of injuries, frequent lineup changes, and performance jinxes stunted that approach.