San Diego Padres at Miami Marlins

Yes, the Padres are keenly aware of the stakes riding on every game they play these days. There’s no telling what direction general manager A.J. Preller might choose ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. But performance will have a lot to do with that decision -- and this weekend the Padres sure looked like buyers. In case there were any doubt, here’s what Jake Cronenworth said, following a dramatic 5-3 victory to cap an emphatic sweep in Miami: “If we keep playing like this,” he said, “we’re going to put ourselves in a position to make A.J. help this team.” Hard to argue, based on Preller’s Trade Deadline track record. Here are some takeaways from loanDepot Park, following perhaps the biggest win of the Padres’ season: