Fernando Tatis Jr. thinks the ‘baseball gods are very upset’ with him.

Fernando Tatis Jr. Seeks to Improve Amid Padres’ Struggles

Fernando Tatis Jr. is aiming to enhance his performance as the Padres face challenges at the start of the season.

“It feels like the baseball gods are quite displeased right now,” he jested with the media before the Padres’ victory against the Rockies. Despite that win, he’s had a rough stretch, going hitless in four games and seeing his batting average dip to .189, coupled with an OPS of only .519.

“We definitely want to see better numbers,” Tatis remarked, “but, honestly, I’m playing solid baseball. I’ve been strong defensively, hitting hard shots all over the field. It feels like the baseball gods are just, well, mad at me.”

“That’s okay though. I can handle it. There’s still plenty of baseball left this season, and I’m really gearing up for what’s to come. I’m confident things will improve.”

As the 2026 season unfolds, Tatis, who has made consecutive All-Star appearances, is a crucial asset for a Padres team eager to achieve a successful postseason run reminiscent of 2022. Last season, he posted a batting average of .268, with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs, resulting in an .814 OPS.

Interestingly, despite ranking in the 100th percentile for hard-hit rates and boasting impressive exit velocity and barrel percentages, his current season performance isn’t matching up, and he has yet to hit a home run, despite accumulating 16 strikeouts over 14 games.

FanGraphs notes that Tatis’ batting average on balls in play stands at .265, a statistic often used to evaluate a player’s fortune at the plate.

Nonetheless, the Padres have managed to rise to an 8-6 record, overcoming their star players’ woes and securing recent wins through walk-off hits.

In the previous games, Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam in the 12th inning to secure a victory over Colorado. The following day, Gavin Sheets made his mark with two three-run homers in one game.