Padres close NL West gap after injury news

Injuries and late season shifts reshape the NL West race and set up a tense stretch run.

Padres Narrow NL West Gap After Injury News

Houston closer Josh Hader did not pitch last night due to shoulder discomfort, with imaging expected after the game. This leaves Houston short handed late in a tight AL West race, where the lead over Seattle has narrowed to one game. Oakland starter Luis Severino was evaluated recently and showed more promising results than expected after his left oblique strain, a sign that the A's rotation may recover in time.

Meanwhile in the NL West the Padres have won three straight and sit one game behind the Dodgers. If San Diego wins tonight and Los Angeles drops a sixth straight game, the teams would be tied for first. The Dodgers have led the division since mid June, but the Padres post deadline push has rekindled interest in the race. MLB Trade Deadline wrap leaves fans focused on the stretch run and on MLBTR host Steve Adams guiding a live chat at 1 pm CT to discuss the postseason and next winter moves.

Health is a hidden currency in baseball. When a closer is sidelined, the bullpen and matchups tighten in ways that reveal a season is a team effort, not a solo sprint. The Astros will feel the pressure if Hader misses time, while Severino's return could stabilize a rotation that never stops being tested by injuries.

The post deadline period changes the tone of the chase. Teams must rely on depth, smart moves, and the willingness to adapt on the fly. The coming weeks will show which front offices planned for contingencies and which teams rely on the health of a few key players to carry them to October.

Highlights

The season keeps moving and the map of the league keeps shifting.