The San Diego Padres have had quite the turnaround in the last week.
After opening the season with a middling 5-5 record, they’ve gone 5-1 in the six games since, making them the second club to reach 10 wins (behind only the rivals up the freeway).
That turnaround was capped off by a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. They finished that off today with a 7-2 bludgeoning of the Rox.
The only problem with today’s game was starter Nick Pivetta’s early exit. After pitching a perfect game through three-plus
innings, he left with the athletic trainer looking visibly distraught. The Friars are optimistic about his condition but are unsure.
The Padres will have their work cut out for them against the Seattle Mariners. The Seattle pitching staff has been fantastic in spite of their floundering offense. They’ve allowed only 56 runs, the third-lowest mark in the American League behind only the New York Yankees (44) and the Texas Rangers (55).
The San Diego offense has been hot lately, wrecking Colorado’s pitching for 28 runs across the four-game series. If they can solve the Mariners tonight, it’ll say a great deal more about the health of this offense against a top-tier starter group.
Taking the mound
Bryan Woo (SEA) v. Michael King (SD)
Woo has been an ace for the Mariners in recent years, and he’s continued that so far this season with a 1.50 ERA across 18 innings. In that time, he’s only allowed 10 hits and three runs (all earned).
In that time he’s struck out 17 batters and walked only four. All of that has led to an unbelievably low 0.78 WHIP. If Woo keeps that up tonight against San Diego, it’ll be a difficult game for the Friar Faithful.
In spite of that line, he’s yet to pick up a win due to a struggling Seattle offense. King will look to limit that offense even more than they already have been. He had a vintage first outing against the Detroit Tiger but struggled in his last two starts, giving up six runs across 11 2/3 innings of work.
He’s been decent, but if King can truly return to form then it’ll be a fascinating pitcher’s duel for Petco Park to watch.
Batter up!
The Padres seem to have found their leadoff man. Ramón Laureano belted his (team-leading) fourth home run of the season on Sunday’s win over Colorado. He’ll likely be back in the leadoff spot tonight.
Ty France had a fantastic 3-for-3 day in the Rockies finale but will probably be back on the bench tonight in favor of Gavin Sheets at first base.
Miguel Andujar or Nick Castellanos in the DH slot. Andujar has more experience against Woo, so he’ll more likely be in that role.
- Ramón Laureano, LF
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Gavin Sheets, DH
- Ty France, 1B
- Luis Campusano, C
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
After plenty of fun watching Tatis return to the infield in a pinch to give Bogaerts and Cronenworth days off, he’ll likely return back to his corner in right field. It’s felt like something was missing without him in the outfield, so it’ll be good to have him back for a Mariners lineup with some pop.
Campusano seems likely to return to the lineup after Freddy Fermin got back-to-back starts. Campy had a fantastic start on Friday night with a double and a home run before sitting on the bench since then. Hopefully he’ll return tonight and add to his recent production.
Relief corps
With Pivetta’s early exit, San Diego relied on their stout bullpen depth. Kyle Hart covered two innings quite well before struggling in the sixth. David Morgan came in and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez finished it off in the eighth and ninth innings. Rodriguez put to bed any worries about his shaky performance Saturday night with two strikeouts in the ninth.
That leaves Jason Adam, Ron Marinaccio, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller for a save situation. Aside from Marinaccio, the group are all high-leverage options that will befit the probable pitcher’s duel awaiting tonight.
