The Dominican Republic lost its first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against Venezuela on Saturday.
With Houston Astros star Cristian Javier on the mound and some of their best hitters showing why they are considered MLB stars, they defeated Nicaragua to get to 1-1 in the short tournament.
A couple of San Diego Padres stars showed on Monday why there is so much expectation surrounding the team.
“Juan Soto launches a homer into the second deck. The next inning, Manny Machado homers. Friendly reminder: 17 days ’til Padres opening day,” Padres reporter Sammy Levitt tweeted.
Juan Soto launches a homer into the second deck.
The next inning, Manny Machado homers.
Friendly reminder: 17 days ’til Padres opening day. pic.twitter.com/TF7V7VJAiE
—Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) March 13, 2023
Soto had already logged an extra-base hit in the loss against Venezuela on Saturday, so it’s fair to say he is firing on all cylinders after being slowed by a calf issue in the spring.
Last season wasn’t bad for him, but with an .853 OPS, we all know he can do much better.
He has come close or surpassed 1,000 OPS as recently as 2021, and if he fully bounces back, San Diego will be in for a fun year.
Machado, who is playing third base for the Dominican Republic, had an MVP-caliber season in 2022 and parlayed that into a $350 million extension.
The duo, together with Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and the Padres’ elite rotation, will prove to be very productive.
The Padres reached the National League Championship Series last year and will want to make it all the way to the Fall Classic this time.
Do they have what it takes to reach the last series of the season and win it?
Only time will tell, but there is no denying that their core of stars is amazing and impressive.
NEXT:
Juan Soto Had An Entire Stadium Rocking Monday Afternoon
