“Machado is starting to look like Machado again”…As Leader comes alive, SD looks hopeful
San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado, 31, is gradually regaining his pace.
Machado signed a big deal with San 메이저사이트 Diego before the season. He signed an 11-year, $350 million extension. Machado has been a clubhouse leader and a centerpiece of both the offense and defense on the field. San Diego wanted to keep him around, and they succeeded in locking him down with a de facto lifetime deal.
However, early in the season, Machado fell into an extreme slump. The expectations were high, and the disappointment was high. At one point in April, his batting average was in the low 2s. He batted .233 in April and .217 in May. Injuries hampered his performance.
But in June, Machado picked up the pace at the plate. In nine games, he’s 11-for-37 with one home run, two doubles, a .297 on-base percentage, a .432 slugging percentage, and a .765 OPS. MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, noted that Machado is “starting to look like Machado again.
“Machado signed a contract extension in late February, and immediately went on to play in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). In April, he suffered a back injury, and in May, he fractured the metacarpal bone in his left hand,” the article continued. Despite the injuries and setbacks, Machado continued to play baseball.
Now that he’s back on the field, San Diego is starting to get back on track. They lost to the Colorado Rockies on a walk-off home run on April 12, but had won four straight before that. “San Diego played its best game of the season prior to the loss,” the media said.
The players are also regaining their confidence. “Our guys are getting healthy, little by little,” Machado said. We’re doing what we need to do. Especially the defense, which has always been good. The pitchers are holding up well. The hitters have been aggressive, getting hits. We’re getting hits with runners in scoring position.”
San Diego is 31-34 and in fourth place in the National League West. But with the season less than halfway over, the Padres still have a chance to make the postseason. “I’m going to play baseball. The season is long,” he said, looking ahead to fall baseball.