Royals, Padres look to rebound from disappointing first half of season

Both the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals have underachieved thus far in 2026.

Coming out of the All-Star break, the two look for a positive restart when they open a three-game series Friday night at Kansas City.

San Diego was a playoff team each of the past two seasons and has reached the postseason four times since 2020. However, injuries and inconsistency have hampered the Padres at 48-48, third in the NL West and 3 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot coming out of the break.

They also rank last in the majors in runs (379), batting average (.226) and on-base percentage (.302).

"It's a long season," star Manny Machado, who's batting .203 but is 8-for-16 with a home run and four RBIs in the last four games, told the Padres' official website.

"A lot of baseball still left to be played. I think our best baseball is still ahead of us."

Perhaps there's basis to Machado's belief after San Diego won two straight and five of eight entering the break.

"We feel like we can reset. ... And, when we get back, get back to playing our game," said first baseman Ty France, batting .348 with three homers and nine RBIs in his last 14 contests.

The Padres return with a 10-game road trip, which includes stops at Atlanta and Miami, teams in playoff position. Before that, though, San Diego has a solid chance to continue its recent success by taking on the Royals, who are tied for the worst record in the majors at 38-59 and will look to avoid a sixth consecutive loss.

While Kansas City did not harbor the same high expectations as the Padres entering this season, it felt there was enough talent to post a third straight winning campaign and potentially contend for a playoff berth.

However, the Royals have been hit hard by injuries, especially to their rotation, plus key offensive contributors like Jonathan India (shoulder), Vinnie Pasquantino (hamate fracture) and Maikel Garcia (hand). Pasquantino was activated July 10 and played two games before the All-Star break.

"It wasn't what we wanted," said All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the team's most consistent offensive performer, batting .286 with 13 homers, 39 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

"We showed up, and we didn't play the way we thought we were going to. It's frustrating. But now you put that in the past.

"We're not just going to roll over."

Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the majors in ERA (4.95) and opponents' batting average (.264).

Veteran right-hander and ex-Padre Seth Lugo (3-6, 4.56 ERA) is slated to take the ball Friday for the Royals, looking to solve his own recent struggles. In his last four starts, Lugo has allowed 29 hits, including eight home runs, and is 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA.

While France is 4-for-8 all-time versus Lugo, Machado is 0-for-8 against him. Lugo has 13 career appearances (two starts) against the Padres with a 2-0 record and 2.63 ERA.

San Diego, meanwhile, is scheduled to counter with Michael King (6-7, 3.41), who is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA while recording three quality starts in his last four outings. The right-hander has yielded three runs and seven hits over 12 innings of his last two starts combined.

King is 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) vs. the Royals. Witt is 2-for-7 against King.

--Field Level Media