Dylan Cease takes the mound for the Padres vs. the Nationals on July 18, 2025, as GM A.J. Preller reportedly works on trades. Can the ace stop the skid?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The San Diego Padres (52-44) land in the nation's capital tonight with a simple mission: get back in the win column. With ace Dylan Cease on the bump against the struggling Washington Nationals, hopes are high for a course correction. But as the Friars prepare for first pitch, the bigger story is brewing behind the scenes. GM A.J. Preller is reportedly deep in discussions for minor trades, signaling that the roster is anything but set in stone as the trade deadline looms.
It's a classic strength-on-weakness matchup: The Padres' pitching staff boasts a 3.67 ERA, 8th best in baseball, while the Nationals' have allowed a whopping 5.20 ERA, 28th in the league.
All eyes are on Dylan Cease tonight as he takes the mound at Nationals Park. The Padres need him to be the ace he is and halt their one-game losing streak. While it's just a single loss, the team wants to build momentum, currently sitting at a respectable 6-4 in their last 10 games. The matchup on paper heavily favors San Diego. Their pitching has been a rock all season, ranking in the top 10 in MLB, while the Nationals have struggled to keep runs off the board. It's the perfect opportunity for the offense to get right and give Cease the run support he deserves.
While the team on the field focuses on Washington, the front office is playing a different game: roster Tetris. The bench and bullpen are in a state of flux. Veteran José Iglesias seems to have secured his spot, but players like Garrett Sheets (slated for DH duties against righties) and Connor Joe are still being evaluated. To create that much-needed flexibility, GM A.J. Preller is reportedly dangling names like Eguy Rosario, Brett Sullivan, and LaMonte Wade Jr. in minor trade talks. These aren't blockbuster moves, but they are crucial for clearing space on the 26-man roster, especially with the bullpen hit by recent injuries.
Beyond the immediate roster concerns, there's growing optimism down on the farm. First baseman Nathan Sanabria is turning heads with his development at the plate. After a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League where he posted a .364 on-base percentage, his improved launch angle and exit velocities have put him squarely on the map. While the Padres' system isn't considered elite, Sanabria is the type of progressing prospect who could force his way into the big-league conversation for a late-season debut. He represents the next wave of talent the Padres are cultivating to sustain their competitive window.
Tonight's game against the Nationals is more than just another date on the calendar; it's a test of focus for a team amidst a swirl of off-field maneuvering. A win would settle things down, but the real story will unfold in the coming weeks. Will Preller pull the trigger on a few minor deals? Will a prospect like Nathan Sanabria get the call? First, they have to take care of business in Washington, and it all starts with Dylan Cease on the mound.
