The difference between surrendering a 6 1/2-game division lead over the final six weeks of the season — like the San Diego Padres did on Sunday — and giving up a 7 1/2-game lead over the final three weeks — as the New York Mets did in 2007 — isn’t a statistical Grand Canyon. It’s a matter of “significant collapse” versus “monumental collapse.” It might be different, but it’s in the same ballpark.
But the Padres won’t be joining the Mets in the annals of infamy.
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If you stayed up late to watch San Diego throughout the season, you didn’t see a lot of offense. The Padres produced only 10 more runs than the Nationals and 17 fewer hits, the latter stat putting them third worst in the majors. The 2007 Mets were 10th in runs and hits.
San Diego compensated for its lack of punch at the plate this season with surprising pitching. But without run support, it wasn’t sustainable.
In the end, the Padres were never expected to be in first place in the NL West — last would’ve been more like it — much less lead the division for nearly the entire season. After all, they had the second-lowest payroll in baseball, $38.2 million, which was more than $80 million less than the Mets payroll three years ago — a whopping $120.9 million.
Of course, cost savings doesn’t exactly make for a great consolation prize.
