“Let’s control our destiny” is the rallying cry for the San Diego Padres.

For the next two weeks, they will play their main National League West rivals, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, and the outcome could determine whether the Padres enter the postseason as a division winner or a wildcard participant.

The state of the Padres’ rotation is improving

Suddenly, the injured starting rotation list has dwindled to one name.

For the last two months, the Friars have used a makeshift starting rotation to remain in the playoff hunt. The returns of Yu Darvish, Michael King, and newly acquired Nestor Cortes has strengthened the rotation at the right time.

Darvish has pitched the most since returning to the active roster. In seven starts, he is 2-3 with a 5.61 ERA. Inconsistency can best describe his return to the mound.

Opponents are batting .238 against him, but his control has been an issue all season. Darvish’s walk percentage is up at 7.9 %, which is his highest rate since 2018 (11.7%). His strikeout percentage is 20.7 %, the lowest rate in his 13-year major league career.

King and Cortes made their returns to the mound over the last five days. King threw two innings against the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park last weekend. He was not sharp, as King gave up two runs on four hits, walked two batters, and struck out one. Cortes made his Padres debut in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Thursday. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits. Cortes struck out and walked three batters in the contest.

All three pitchers have been nursing injuries for most of the first half. Each will get at least two starts during this current stretch of games, and expectations are for them to showcase their array of pitches that quiet the opponent’s bats for a victory.

The Friars’ rebuilding starting pitching depth

The depth of the starting rotation took a hit at the trade deadline. Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert were dealt to the Kansas City Royals in the Freddie Fermin trade.

Randy Vasquez is the first option, as the promising starter is working to get more consistent on the mound at El Paso. Newcomer JP Sears is trying to get his footing with a new organization. The return of Kyle Hart is just a phone call away, as he has been impressive in the long man role out of the ‘pen. The Padres aim to straighten out Bryan Hoeing and Matt Waldron before the season ends.

The additions of Darvish, King, and Cortes to the rotation have closed the gap at the top of the NL West. The team has not lost a series since the trade deadline. The challenge is on the Friars to put some distance between them and their competitors.

Finally, the Padres are in control of their destination.