Padres Preview: 04/12 Robbie Erlin gets his chance to start

The Padres look to secure at least a series split with a win today in game 2 against the Phillies. They'll send to the mound one of the most successful pitchers of the season so far, yet one that didn't make the Opening Day roster.

Robbie Erlin will get his first start of the season after being called up last week to help out the bullpen after an injury put Matt Thornton on the disabled list. In his 2016 debut, Erlin threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball in relief. The next day, the Padres announced they were placing Opening Day starter Tyson Ross on the DL with shoulder inflammation. An unfortunate occurence, but one that gives Erlin the opportunity to join the rotation, a position for which he fought all Spring but ultimately lost out to Colin Rea and Drew Pomeranz.

Erlin makes today's start on just four days of rest, though he did pitch fewer than four innings last Friday. This will be the lefty's third ever outing against the Phillies. He previously went 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in his first two starts against them.

The Padres offense will be going up against the least successful of all the Phillies starters so far. Charlie Morton also pitched 3 2/3 innings in his 2016 debut, but in his case it was a disaster. The right-hander gave up six runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks before exiting the game in the 4th inning.

Morton does, however, have a successful history pitching against San Diego. In seven career starts against them, he's 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He faced them twice in 2015, keeping the offense to a combined four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 13 innings.

The game gets underway at 4:05 pm PT.