Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. Set To Leadoff Saturday With All Friars Stars Playing
The San Diego Padres could be looking at the beginning of something very special today. Although it seems like their game against the Milwaukee Brewers is the same as every one, team manager Bob Melvin has let us know that this one is for the fans.
If you haven't been keeping up with the Friars this spring, one of the biggest storylines surrounding them has been the much-anticipated return of Fernando Tatis Jr. The entire city has to endure over a season without their young star and he has steadily been showcasing the same skillset that made them fall in love with him in the first place.
Coming off of his first home run of the Cactus League, Melvin announced that he will be leading a batting lineup on Saturday that features other star teammates in Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts. This news was first reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego-Union Tribune.
"Bob Melvin said the schedule for Fernando Tatis Jr. has been amended and he will start tomorrow. Tatis will bat leadoff in a lineup that is also expected to include Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts. The game is being televised on @BallySportsSD," said Acee.
All of the offseason speculation, money commitments, and patience over the past few seasons has led to this. Spring Training is getting closer to wrapping up and San Diego is starting to get their full team back as the WBC winds down as well.
The hype around this Friars is like none I can remember in recent history. Their versatility and slugging power could be unmatched in the league if they are able to put it all together. Today's exhibition will be very exciting to see how they all feed off of each other's energy and if Tatis can continue the upwards trend he's been on these past weeks.
