Game Preview: Game 139 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

After taking the series in Los Angeles and having an off day tomorrow, our boys are back at Petco Park tonight to kick off a nine-game homestand. The Diamondbacks are coming off a series win against the NL-West-leading Giants. Our Padres are coming off a series win against the 2nd-place Dodgers. But if recent history is any indication, we should feel confident going into this three-game set. Our Friars swept the last two series against the Dbacks, outscoring them 42-20 in those six games. A victory tonight would mark the first seven-game win streak against Arizona in franchise history.

We will send Andrew Cashner to the mound to make his first start since July 3rd, a start against Arizona that he had to leave early with a strained lat muscle. Cashner made three rehab starts in Tucson prior to his return to the big league club. He pitched a total of nine innings and allowed three runs while striking out eight. Cashner already has a win against the Dbacks under his belt. He has pitched 11 1/3 total innings against them all-time while posting a 2.38 ERA. He is expected to be held to a pitch count of 70 tonight.

Tyler Skaggs will get the call for Arizona. This will be his fourth major league start (one less than Cashner) and his first time facing San Diego. He is coming off a no-decision in L.A., where he gave up a run on five hits in five innings. He only walked one in that start, improving after giving up nine free passes (seven walks and two hit batsmen) over his first two starts.

Our Padres have won 16 of their last 21 at Petco Park, so hopefully they will continue to find success there this series. Chase Headley, Alexi Amarista, and Yonder Alonso have all been hitting well during our current win streak against the Dbacks. Headley is batting .333 with a homer and six RBI. Amarista is also hitting .333 with a homer, but has seven RBI. Alonso has them both beat, with a .400 average, two home runs, and nine RBI.