Just when Mike Shildt and the San Diego Padres needed it most, the best players on the team stepped up in a big way. Following back-to-back days of benches clearing in St. Louis between the Cardinals and Padres, cooler heads prevailed on Sunday.

Miami: 3B Connor Norby will be out six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hamate bone last week. OF Derek Hill (finger) is day-to-day, while RHP Jesus Tinoco (forearm) could return next month. LHP Ryan Weathers (lat) could also return next month. LHP Andrew Nardi (back) could return before the end of the month.

BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres take a 1-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Miami Marlins. Miami has a 22-29 record at home and a 46-53 record overall. The Marlins have a 37-19 record in games when they record at least eight hits.

The San Diego Padres need to add a starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline, and Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara is a great fit.

The Padres are listening on Dylan Cease, which inspired calls from most of the AL East — the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Rays — as well as the Mets and Cubs.

The San Diego Padres have entertained the idea of trading Dylan Cease, as he continues to underperform in the final year of his contract. But getting rid of Cease in the middle of a Wild Card chase feels counteproductive,

The Padres' former associate manager and 2023 National League Manager of the Year Award winner is reportedly a candidate for an upcoming job vacancy.

The Padres may not get the outfielder they initially wanted ahead of the trade deadline. They may want to settle for Orioles outfielder Ramon Laureano.