I was trying to figure why the Padres are 15-15, playing .500 ball and we as Padres fans are still pretty pissed after each loss. Sure, there are greater expectations this year when for all intents and purposes the Padres pushed all their chips to the center of the table and basically said they're all in. With this kind of commitment you expect more results, even if it is relatively early in the season.

But as I was getting ready for work this morning, I wondered if it was because when the team does lose they are getting out scored by lots and lots of runs. Just when you think the team is gaining momentum they are dominated by their opponent and our collective hope is crushed.

I ran some numbers just now and it's apparently true. In the Padres 15 losses they're being outscored on average of 4.46 runs a game. The only year to start off worse was 1974.

Worst run differential in first 15 losses

Year Average run difference 1974 -5.8 2015 -4.46 2008 -4.4

If we look at the entire season of losses, 1974 remains the worst.

Worst run differential in the entire season of losses

Year Average run difference 1974 -4.55 2015 -4.46 2002 -4.17

The other thought I had was that the Padres offense is supposedly our bread and butter this season. The days of being shutout time should be over, yet the Padres have already been shutout 5 times in the first 30 games. One third of their losses came with a shutout. That's on pace to be the highest shutout rate in Padres history. In 2004 the Padres were only shutout 3 times in the entire season.

Highest shutout rate per season