Fernando

Tatis Jr.

Tatis was able to come up with his first RBI of the season on a run-scoring poke off Jack Flaherty in the third. He followed it with his first steal of the campaign. The 27-year-old also drew a walk to improve his slash over the first three games to .182/.250/.182.

Caminero has been one of the driving forces behind the Dominican Republic’s relentless onslaught during the international tournament, hitting .275 (6-for-16) with two homers and six RBI through five contests. He’ll help anchor a star-studded lineup as the Dominican Republic faces Team USA ace Paul Skenes at loanDepot Park in Miami with a berth in the World Baseball Classic final at stake. Here’s the full lineup: Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF), Ketel Marte (2B), Juan Soto (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Manny Machado (3B), Caminero (DH), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Austin Wells (C) and Geraldo Perdomo (SS).

The Dominican win also advances Venezuela to the quarters ahead of their showdown Wednesday, but that game still matters a great deal; the winner will face Korea in the next round, while the loser will have to take on Japan. Tatis is the third player ever to knock in six runs in a WBC game. Oneil Cruz also homered and reached base four times.

The Padres are leaning towards batting Tatis lower in the order this year, but he’s still at the top of the D.R.'s All-Star squad. The lineup, with Luis Severino slated to start: RF Tatis, 2B Ketel Marte, LF Juan Soto, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B Manny Machado, DH Junior Caminero, CF Julio Rodríguez, C Austin Wells and SS Geraldo Perdomo.

The 27-year-old superstar hid predominantly out of the leadoff spot in the Padres’ lineup in 2025, so this could be an interesting change. It’s definitely a situation to monitor. If it sticks heading into the season, it would certainly increase his RBI output while dinging his projection in runs slightly. Xander Bogaerts is batting out of the leadoff spot in his place on Friday.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported earlier in the offseason that he believes it’s “finally time” for Robert to be traded, so we’re going to see a few teams being linked to him. What makes this report interesting is that there doesn’t seem to be a place for Robert in San Diego with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano as the starting outfield. However, there have also been trade rumors surrounding Tatis as the Padres look to shed salary and add young, controllable starting pitchers. Perhaps there could be a few levers being pulled here.

Crow-Armstong (center field), Ian Happ (left field) and Nico Hoerner (second base) made it three Gold Glove winners for the Cubs. Also chosen were Logan Webb (pitcher), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Matt Olson (first base), Ke’Bryan Hayes (third base), Masyn Winn (shortstop), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field) and Javier Sanoja (utilityman). Those seem like all of the right choices for the most part, though we’re once again seeing there’s just no reason for there to be a utilityman Gold Glove handed out every year.

The Padres believe that they rolled out the best that they have to offer in the first two games of the series, so there’s no reason to deviate from that in Game 3 on Thursday. Once again, it’ll look like this: Fernando Tatis Jr (RF), Luis Arraez (1B), Manny Machado (3B), Jackson Merrill (CF), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Ryan O’Hearn (DH), Gavin Sheets (LF), Jake Cronenworth (2B) and Freddy Fermin (C).

The 26-year-old superstar launched the second pitch thrown by Eduardo Rodriguez for a 413-foot (109.6 mph EV) solo shot that gave the Padres a lead they would never relinquish. He finished the evening 1-for-2 and is now hitting .267/.367/.446 with 25 homers, 71 RBI and 32 stolen bases on the season.

The Diamondbacks were eliminated from postseason contention with the defeat. Tatis’s fourth career slam was a no-doubter off Zac Gallen. He’s hit an incredible .452 with just seven strikeouts in 52 career plate appearances with the bases loaded. The 26-year-old told reporters he missed a couple games earlier this week due to COVID. He’s clearly feeling better now and should be a full-go for the postseason.