PADRES ARE COMING ALIVE, GIANTS KEEP FINDING WAYS TO LOSE
August 11, 2026 | JackedUpSportz
Welcome back to JackedUpSportz, where we judge the sports world using the only two categories we really need:
JACKED UP or UNJACKED.
For anybody new here, JUS is an NL West focused sports blog. We cover the rest of the sports world too, but the NL West is home.
The Giants are my hometown team. I grew up a Giants fan. I live in San Diego now, so I’ve got plenty of love for the Padres.
And then there are the Dodgers.
We don’t hate the Dodgers because they’re doing anything wrong. They can spend all the money they want.
We just want somebody to beat them.
Anybody.
Please.
THE PADRES ARE ON A ROLL
San Diego beat Milwaukee 3-2 last night for its third straight win and fourth victory in five games.
That’s a good run by itself.
But this one meant a little more because Milwaukee is 74-45 and leading the NL Central. The Brewers are one of the best teams in baseball, and San Diego came from behind to beat them.
The Padres are now 63-57, right in the middle of the NL playoff race.
This is exactly what Padres fans have been waiting for. It is also the kind of Padres response we wanted to see earlier this month.
UNJACKED.
JACKSON MERRILL IS GETTING HOT
This might be the biggest development of all.
Jackson Merrill hit the go-ahead two-run homer against Milwaukee, and he’s now homered in three straight games.
That’s huge for San Diego.
The Padres have enough talent in that lineup that they shouldn’t have to scratch and claw for three runs every night.
When Merrill is hitting, this lineup starts looking a whole lot different.
Get Merrill going.
Get Manny Machado going.
Get Fernando Tatis Jr. going.
Now you’ve got a team nobody wants to deal with in October.
Merrill getting hot in August:
UNJACKED.
THE PADRES OFFENSE IS FINALLY SHOWING SOME LIFE
This has been my biggest problem with San Diego.
There are too many good hitters on this team for the offense to disappear as often as it has.
You look at the lineup and think, “How are these guys not scoring?”
Maybe that’s finally changing.
The Padres aren’t suddenly putting up 10 runs every night, but they’re starting to get the hits that matter.
That’s what happened Monday.
They were down 2-0.
They didn’t panic.
They got back into it and Merrill delivered the big swing.
Then the bullpen finished it.
That’s winning baseball.
UNJACKED.
THE PADRES WILD CARD RACE IS GETTING GOOD
Arizona is 64-56.
San Diego is 63-57.
The Padres are right there.
This isn’t one of those situations where we have to start doing ridiculous math.
“If San Diego wins 19 straight games, Arizona loses 14, Philadelphia gets abducted by aliens and the moon is in the correct position…”
No.
Just keep winning baseball games.
The Padres have put themselves in position to make this a real race.
And if they get into October with the offense finally clicking, things could get interesting very quickly.
Meaningful Padres baseball in August:
UNJACKED.
NOW FOR MY GIANTS
Ugh.
The Giants lost 6-3 to Houston in 10 innings Monday night.
San Francisco is now 49-70 and has lost three straight.
They actually had a chance Monday.
Then the Astros scored three in the 10th.
Game over.
Season-wise, we’re way beyond pretending the Giants are still in this thing. At this point I want to see young players get opportunities, prospects develop and some evidence that this organization has a plan to get back into contention.
The Giants are supposed to be playing meaningful baseball in September.
Instead they’re 21½ games behind the Dodgers.
As a Giants fan, I don’t have much more to say about that.
JACKED UP.
And the injuries aren’t helping. Catcher Daniel Susac is on the 10-day IL with a fractured left patella, with Zach Morgan getting called up for his MLB debut.
At least we get to see another young player.
I’m trying here.
THE DODGERS ARE STILL IN FIRST
Los Angeles is 71-48.
Still leading the NL West.
Still annoying.
JACKED UP.
Again, this isn’t about the Dodgers breaking rules.
They aren’t.
They spend a ton of money because they can.
Good for them.
We’re still allowed to root against them.
That’s sports.
The Giants aren’t catching them this year, so right now the Padres are our best shot at somebody from our side of the division making life difficult for LA in October.
Get in the playoffs.
Then go beat the Dodgers.
That would be extremely…
UNJACKED.
AROUND THE SPORTS WORLD
We’re NL West focused, but we’re not living in a baseball bunker.
Here’s what else caught our attention today.
KYLER MURRAY WINS THE VIKINGS JOB
The Vikings have named Kyler Murray their Week 1 starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy.
That’s a pretty interesting turn for Minnesota.
Murray has been in the league for years. We know the talent is there.
Now he gets another shot with a new team.
For Murray?
UNJACKED.
For McCarthy?
You probably don’t need me to tell you.
JACKED UP.
FOOTBALL IS ALMOST BACK
Training camps are rolling.
Preseason football is here.
Every fan base currently believes its rookie is going to the Hall of Fame.
Every player is apparently in the best shape of his life.
Every team had the greatest offseason ever.
Then Week 1 shows up and ruins everything.
Football coming back?
UNJACKED.
Having to watch preseason games and pretend the fourth quarter matters?
JACKED UP.
THE JACKED LIST
The Jacked List is where we keep track of players who are injured and currently out.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty to work with today.
Joe Musgrove, Padres: On the 60-day IL with an elbow injury and out for the 2026 season.
Jason Adam, Padres: On the 60-day IL with a right shoulder strain.
Matt Chapman, Giants: Out and headed for season-ending abdominal surgery.
Daniel Susac, Giants: On the 10-day IL with a fractured left patella.
Aaron Judge, Yankees: Out with a right rib stress fracture.
Injuries suck.
JACKED UP.
THE UNJACKED LIST
Now the better list.
Players working their way back.
Nick Pivetta, Padres: Still on the 60-day IL, but he threw off a mound Monday as he works back from his elbow injury.
Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees: Hitting, taking live batting practice and doing outfield running as he works back from a right calf strain.
Players making real progress toward returning?
UNJACKED.
TODAY’S JUS SCORECARD
Padres winning three straight: UNJACKED
Jackson Merrill homering in three straight: VERY UNJACKED
Padres being right in the playoff race: UNJACKED
Giants at 49-70: EXTREMELY JACKED UP
Giants losing in extras: JACKED UP
Dodgers still leading the NL West: JACKED UP
Somebody knocking the Dodgers out in October: INCREDIBLY UNJACKED
Football coming back: UNJACKED
Injuries: ALWAYS JACKED UP
The Padres are the NL West story we’re watching right now.
They’re winning.
Merrill is heating up.
The offense is showing signs of life.
And they’re right in the playoff fight.
Keep it going.
Because if my Giants aren’t going to save us from another Dodgers postseason run this year, I’m perfectly happy letting San Diego take a shot at it.
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