Game 31 Preview: 05/08 Padres @ Diamondbacks

Last night the Padres found themselves on the wrong end of a shutout/blowout, dropping the series opener at Chase Field by a score of 11-0. The Padres will try to even up the series tonight at 6:40 pm PT. Last night's loss brought them to 15-15 on the season, and hopefully they can get back over that .500 mark and stay there.

If anyone can get these guys back on track, it's staff ace James Shields, who takes the hill this evening in game 2 of the series. This will be just his third career start against the Diamondbacks, and second at Chase Field. But his first in Arizona was one to forget. The righty gave up six runs on 10 hits (two home runs) and two walks through five innings of work.

Shields is 3-0 in his six starts as a Padre, collecting 48 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. His most recent outing, however, was his weakest of the season and almost as bad as his latest and only start in Arizona. He allowed five runs on nine hits (three homers) in 5 1/3 innings. He didn't walk a batter, however, and struck out seven in his effort.

Tonight Shields will be facing a former teammate as Jeremy Hellickson gets the ball for the Dbacks. Hellickson and Shields were both starters for the Rays from 2010-2012, but they've never faced each other in their careers. Hellickson hasn't seen quite as much success as Shields this season. He's gone 1-3 with a 5.20 ERA in his five starts. However, he has kept opponents to just two home runs all season. Hellickson has made two career starts against the Padres, going 0-1 with a 7.43 ERA.

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