The circumstances were, uh, just a little bit different five years ago when then-Padres manager Jayce Tingler called on little-known utility player Jake Cronenworth as a pinch-runner in a game against the Diamondbacks.

Two years after their payroll peaked, the San Diego Padres' financial outlook remains a source of fascination to people within Major League Baseball leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

A year later, the Padres find themselves in slightly better standing. They are 55-49, one game ahead of their 54-50 record last July 24. They are also entering dangerous territory. The wins and losses tell a story of year-over-year improvement. The recent trend lines do not.

The last time the Cardinals won consecutive games before Friday night, it was June 29 and St. Louis sat a season-best nine games over .500, filled with confidence. An MLB-worst 5-13 stretch followed f

The San Diego Padres need to add a starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline, and Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara is a great fit.

The reported change in representation is a recent one for the 34-year-old pitcher who is expected to opt out of his contract with the Padres.

The San Diego Padres need to add an outfielder ahead of the trade deadline, and they could look to add one of the better buy-low targets on the open market.

On Friday, the benches cleared in the matchup between the Cardinals and Padres after Nick Pivetta plunked Willson Contreras.