Padres' struggles highlighted in loss to Cardinals
The Padres experienced a rare loss despite strong early performance, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistency in baseball. Randy Vásquez's recent strong starts may be ending as he is expected to be optioned, while Nestor Cortes is set to return to the rotation. Rookie pitcher David Morgan continues to impress with his command and strike-throwing, contributing to the team's bullpen stability. The team is managing its payroll carefully, with recent acquisitions costing less than expected, emphasizing strategic spending.