Memorial Day Game Thread: 05/28 Padres @ Cubs

After dropping three of four at Citi Field, our Padres will try to turn it around in this series against the Cubs. The Mets series was a tough one. We came into it looking pretty strong with an 11-5 win, but our offense failed to show up for the series, scoring just one run total over the remaining three games. Overall a disappointing weekend in New York, so hopefully a trip to Wrigley Field, and a certain new name in the Padres lineup, will be what our boys need to turn it around.

The Cubs are a team that we could really take advantage of right now. If you guys think we have it bad, the Cubs are on a 12-game losing streak and have two less wins on the season than our Padres. Southpaw Travis Wood will try to take advantage of his team's brief homestand and end the 12-game skid today in front of the home crowd. He is still looking for his first win of the season, so he will try to keep his team in the game and hope his offense can show up. That seems like a lot to ask for, however, from an offense who had so much trouble scoring runs, especially off starting pitchers, in their recent six-game road trip. Today that offense will try to get something going against Padres starter Jeff Suppan.

Suppan, however, hasn't had the greatest track record against the Cubs, or on the road. He has 11 career losses against the Cubs (more than any other team), has dropped his last six decisions against them, and has a 1-9 record in his last 15 road starts. Plus, our Padres offense, hasn't been very good at providing consistent run support. Their last run was all the way back in the first inning against the Mets on Friday, in a game that they lost 6-1. They've dropped six of their last seven games and are coming off back-to-back shutouts.

But for those who haven't yet given up on this Padres team this season, there is something to look forward to. Carlos Quentin is in the lineup today to make his Padres debut and start in his first game of the season. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying his return is going to be the saving grace of this team and that we're automatically going to turn everything around just because he is in the lineup. But in a season like the one we've had where all we're used to is seeing players go on the DL and guys in the lineup not hitting well, the rare pieces of good news we get become magnified and we should take advantage when we can. Carlos Quentin's appearance in the lineup is very good news, and especially in the midst of such a tough season, we should treat it as very good news.

Here's the full lineup via Bob Scanlan, because he knows how to celebrate good news:

Between Carlos Quentin's return and Memorial Day, this game has the makings of a great victory. Team of the Military, let's go!

GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!