Cease’s first year in San Diego ended in a painful way.

Positives From This Season
When the Padres acquired Dylan Cease, we knew we were getting a guy who was going to make his starts (33) and rack up some strikeouts (224). What we weren’t expecting was a no-hitter, which I feel like gets forgotten, but happened at Nationals Park July 25. That was in the middle of a four-start stretch in July where he allowed 1 ER in 27.2 innings.

HISTORY!

The final out from Dylan Cease’s no-hitter. pic.twitter.com/FwZsNoTS6S

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2024
Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish missed significant time this year so his ability to stay healthy and throw quality innings really helped this club get to 90+ wins. The 28-year-old finished the season with 19 6+ inning starts.

Negatives From This Season
What Cease’s first Padres season is going to be remembered for is how he didn’t do his job well enough come October. Mike Shildt would tell you the stuff and velocity were there but the runs allowed is what matters most.

Cease didn’t just give up eight earned runs but he also only covered five innings combined in Game 1 and 4 of the NLDS. Sure, one of those starts was on three days rest—something he hadn’t done in his career—but the Padres acquired him to pitch better than he did in those big moments.

Cease is under control through next season before hitting free agency.