Padres have dubious distinction vs. Cardinals in St Louis; Nick Pivetta looks to stay hot in sweltering Midwest

PITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Nick Pivetta (10-2, 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 127 strikeouts); Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (5-7, 5.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 69 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres look to end their three-game losing streak with a win against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Padres acquired King in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees before the 2024 season, and he has flourished in San Diego—making Cease an expendable asset. Over 41 appearances with the Padres, King has compiled a 2.86 ERA, a 17–11 record, and 265 strikeouts over 229.1 innings.

Right-hander, out since mid-May with a nerve impingement, will throw to batters for the first time since then on Monday

Padres trade proposal targets Royals' Seth Lugo, boosting their playoff rotation. See details on the deal, impact, and player analysis.

Subtracting Cease would create a large hole in a rotation that has struggled at times, but could give A.J. Preller the trade chips his own system lacks.

The lack of consistent offense and occasional defensive lapses has pushed the Padres to explore external solutions. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, San Diego has expressed interest in trio of outfielders: Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox and Ramón Laureano of the Baltimore Orioles.

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As usual, Preller will be one of the prime executives to watch at the deadline, pricing every available player, including his own.

Dylan Cease is a free agent after 2025, and the Padres appear open to trade offers. With that, here are his best trade fits.

Amaya is a gem, but the Cubs are loaded at catcher, with the reliable Carson Kelly locked in as the go-to starter and Reese McGuire as a solid backup. And lest we forget, 21-year-old phenom Moises Ballesteros is waiting in the wings.

Padres Daily: The Darvish question; offensive uptick; Merrill moves up (Kevin Acee, SD U-T) Padres announce that they’ve signed all 19 of their 2025 Draft picks (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)