Juan Soto did not have a typical start to the 2023 season.
The San Diego Padres slugger was mired in a slump and was unable to get going.
However, the 24-year-old appears to be breaking out of that slump and is heating up at just the right time.
This weekend, the Padres will play a three-game series against the surging Los Angeles Dodgers to try and gain some ground in the NL West.
Soto appears to returning to form just in time for the series.
In fact, in his last six games, he has picked up nine hits, five of which were extra-base hits.
He has also walked nine times and driven in eight runs.
On Twitter, MLB Network posted a graphic which featured some of Soto’s recent stats.
Juan Soto is heating up just in time for a Rivalry Week series opener against the Dodgers tomorrow 👀@Padres | #BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/dG8ZdtphOu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 5, 2023
Soto appears to be heating up at just the right time.
This season, he is still just hitting .227, but he has homered five times and driven in 17 runs, while also reaching base at a .397 clip.
The Padres are only two games back of the Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West.
The team was expected to be one of the powerhouses in the National League this year.
Soto heating up could help them continue their hot stretch as they look to make a statement at home against the Dodgers.
The Padres beat the Dodgers in four games during last year’s NLDS.
NEXT: Xander Bogaerts Is Putting Up Must-See Numbers This Season
