SAN DIEGO -- When Brandon Maurer has struggled in his three seasons since joining the Padres, it's often attributable to his slider. When he's had success, it's generally for the same reason.
Maurer's slider is undoubtedly his make-or-break pitch, and over the past three weeks it's been filthy. Needless to say, success has followed.
Maurer's ERA balooned to 6.53 on June 25. In six outings since, he's allowed just three baserunners -- all singles -- over six scoreless innings, while striking out eight. In essence, Maurer has earned his way back into the ninth-inning role, and he could be pitching himself into a very serviceable trade chip.