The San Diego Padres haven’t been doing the best lately. After their ridiculously hot streak, they’ve cooled down significantly, dropping six of their last nine games. The Friars haven’t won a series since they swept the Minnesota Twins in their last homestand. They need a series win against the Cincinnati Reds, and the rubber match is the perfect stage.
Apart from Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two home runs, the Padres weren’t able to muster up much offense in Game 2. Reds starter Nick Lodolo limited the Friars
to two runs over six innings before Cincinnati came back with two runs off of San Diego’s bullpen in the eighth inning. It’s the latest in a concerning trend from the Padres’ relievers. Hopefully, the club will be able to turn things around sooner rather than later.
Taking the mound
Brandon Williamson (CIN) v. Casey Mize (SD)
Williamson doesn’t have much experience at the big-league level, having made just 32 starts in parts of three seasons with Cincinnati. Much of that came in 2023, when Williamson made 23 starts for the Reds with a 4.46 ERA. He’s never been particularly effective, but has flashed some decent stuff.
Through six starts this season, Williamson owns a 6.11 ERA (28.0 IP). He’s given up four homers in that time, but has struggled more with command. The lefty has issued 20 walks this season, giving him a 1.64 WHIP. Williamson hasn’t pitched at the major-league level since April 29, so there could be some rust there.
It’s no secret that Mize has struggled as a Padre. Since joining the club, he’s given up an almost unbelievable 21 runs (16 earned). That’s resulted in Mize owning a 6.26 ERA across 23 innings with the Friars. He desperately needs to turn things around, and has proven that he can. Mize was one of the best AL starters, with a 2.70 ERA before being traded to San Diego.
It’s not totally his fault. Mize has been the subject of unfortunate circumstances. He hurt his ankle walking down the dugout steps and wasn’t pitching 100 percent in either start that he made during that time. Apart from his throwing error in his last start, Mize pitched quite well. He surrendered two earned runs across five innings versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
Batter up!
San Diego’s lineup simply couldn’t capitalize on their many scoring opportunities in Tuesday night’s loss. The Friars went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, with all but Tatis struggling to cross home plate. They’ll need their offense working tonight in order to back up Mize.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Samad Taylor, LF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Ty France, 1B
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Luis Campusano, C
- Dustin Harris, DH
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
With newcomer Ethan Salas reported to be making his debut on Friday when the Padres return to Petco Park, it seems likelier that Campusano will handle catching duties in the series finale versus Cincinnati. The latter entered yesterday’s Game 2 as a pinch-hitter but will probably start today’s rubber match behind the dish.
Relief corps
Starter Randy Vásquez pitched quite well despite exiting in the fifth inning. He hasn’t been granted the same long leash he was at the beginning of the season, and was taken out by manager Craig Stammen quite early. The Padres went to Bradgley Rodriguez, Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon and David Morgan to finish the game. But it was, surprisingly, Morejon who gave up the game, surrendering two pivotal runs in the eighth inning.
That leaves Jhony Brito, Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart, Mason Miller and Wandy Peralta as options for Stammen to call upon once Mize exits. With the off day on Thursday, the Padres don’t have to worry too much about taxing the ‘pen, but it would be comforting to see a quality start from Mize.
