The Padres have returned home from a road trip featuring three games each against the Mets and the Nationals. For this struggling young team, a 3-3 road trip should be seen as a success, especially when you consider the performances of rookies Allen Cordoba, Dinelson Lamet, and Franchy Cordero on that road trip. Now they open a homestand with a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Jarred Cosart sees himself as a starting pitcher, and he’s being given a chance to grasp a rotation spot... but his first turn since coming back from the disabled list didn’t go so well. Leadoff hitter Michael Conforto drilled him in his pivot foot, which may have hindered his abilityto effectively push off for the remainder of his start. He struggled through 2-2/3 innings, giving up four earned runs in the process, before being relieved of his duties. X-rays came back negative, and he’s back on the bump today. Hopefully the foot shows no lingering effects and Cosart can get back to work. His last start before going on the DL was promising, as he pitched five innings of one-run ball. A start like that against the defending World Series Champs would be a great outing.
Kyle Hendricks was a surprise Cy Young candidate last season, as he posted a dominant 2.13 ERA to lead the National League. He’s back on a similar track this year, although his 4.20 FIP suggests that his 3.25 ERA may be just a little bit lucky. He’s not commanding the strike zone the same as last year, evidenced by an increase in walks and a downtick in strikeouts. He’s never been a hard thrower, but he’s lost a little velocity and his command isn’t what it was last year. An injury could be an underlying factor, or there could be a change in his mechanics that he’s fighting. Regardless, the Padres have struggled against soft-tossers who nibble the edges, and even if he’s having an off year, he’s still a pretty dang good pitcher with a stellar defense behind him.
On this Memorial Day, think of those who sacrificed to give us the ability to go to a ballgame with tens of thousands of our closest friends where we can have peanuts and Cracker Jacks and high-five strangers. If you’re going to the game, be sure to get there early to take in the pre-game military tribute, and please stop by the stadium’s tribute to our own Jerry Coleman.
Start time: 1:40PM PDT
Radio: 94.9FM, 860AM (Español)
TV: Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Deportes San Diego
Online: MLB.TV