Padres Bounce Back After Tough Opening Series

New manager Craig Stammen earns first career win as San Diego takes down Tigers

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego Padres opened their 2026 season with a tough 1-2 series against the Detroit Tigers, but bounced back with a win in the finale to head into an off-day on a positive note. Despite scoring just 7 runs over the 3-game set, the Padres showed promise with their lineup and bullpen, and are optimistic about the season ahead.

Why it matters

The Padres are looking to build on their success from last season and make a deep playoff run in 2026. While the opening series didn't go as planned, the team demonstrated resilience and the ability to overcome adversity, which will be crucial as they navigate a long and challenging season.

The details

The Padres struggled offensively in the first two games, facing tough pitching from the Tigers' Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez. However, they were able to chase Tigers starter Jack Flaherty early in the Saturday finale, leading to a much-needed win for new manager Craig Stammen. Standout performances came from Ramón Laureano, who continued his strong play from last season, and Jake Cronenworth, who hit leadoff against right-handed pitching. The Padres' bullpen also drew praise, with the coaching staff's decision-making being questioned by some, but ultimately given the benefit of the doubt.

  • The Padres opened their season on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • The team salvaged the final game of the series on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Padres had a rare Sunday off-day on March 30, 2026 following their first series win.

The players

Craig Stammen

The Padres' new manager, who picked up his first career victory as a manager in the team's Saturday win over the Tigers.

Ramón Laureano

The Padres' offseason acquisition, who continued his strong play from 2025 by hitting .417 with a home run and 1.167 OPS over the opening weekend.

Jake Cronenworth

The Padres' leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching, who saw a lot of pitches and set the table for the lineup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You could have the best approach in the world against those first two guys, and it probably isn't going to work out more often than not, just based on ... what they've done [in their careers].”

— Jake Cronenworth

“Super happy for him. You could see how happy he was and the weight off his shoulders.”

— Jake Cronenworth

“About time.”

— Fernando Tatis Jr.

What’s next

The Padres will look to build on their Saturday win when they face the Colorado Rockies and Germán Márquez on Monday, April 1.

The takeaway

While the Padres' opening series didn't go as planned, the team showed resilience and the ability to overcome adversity, which will be crucial as they aim to build on last season's success and make a deep playoff run in 2026.