Jake Cronenworth cracked a two-run homer, and Dylan Cease tossed five scoreless innings as the San Diego Padres defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 on Sunday.

Having a strikeout pitcher in the playoffs sets your team up for success, and if Cease can continue his hot streak (two or less earned runs and nine or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts), the Padres will be even more built for a playoff run.

Cease, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, would be a rental for the current AL West leaders.

The Padres have discussed Dylan Cease with several clubs but also looked into acquiring Baltimore's Charlie Morton. Read why at MLB Trade Rumors.

Amid that trade, Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Padres are now likely to trade Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez following the Padres' acquisition of Miller. "Sources: Roberts Suarez and Dylan Cease likely to be on the move now that the Padres have landed Mason Miller and J.P. Sears," Olney reports.

The San Diego Padres were never close to trading starting pitcher Dylan Cease or closer Robert Suarez at the trade deadline.

The San Diego Padres' asking price for Dylan Cease has been revealed, and it's clear why the Houston Astros walked away from the trade.