Padres Preview: Clayton Richard vs. Scott Feldman & the Cincinnati Reds

A new series seems to have brought about a new team. Yesterday’s thrashing of the Reds was fun to watch, and now there’s a chance that the team can win its first series in a while. Tonight the pitchers facing off will be a pair of MLB journeyman in Scott Feldman and Clayton Richard.

Clayton Richard has had quite the up-and-down season so far, but he’s reliably pitched deep into just about all of his starts. He’s given up one run or less in four of his thirteen starts, and he’s only failed to pitch five or more innings once. The big inning hasn’t afflicted him as much as the rest of the Padres’ starters, and he’s been very efficient when the team needed him to rest the bullpen. Speaking of the bullpen, Andy Green had to reach deep into his reserve arms in Saturday’s game, and he’s needed to go back to the well each of the last two games as well. A long outing from Richard would give a welcomed extra day of rest to some of those relief arms.

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You probably know Scott Feldman from his tenure with the Texas Rangers, but that feels like a long time ago. Since his final season in Arlington in 2012, he’s pitched for the Cubs, Orioles, Astros, and Blue Jays before signing with the Reds as a free agent this offseason. He’s putting up numbers that are in line with his career trends, but he’s been a little more erratic than his counterpart Richard. He’s also put some quality outings, surrendering one run or less in five of his thirteen starts, but he’s been more susceptible to the blowout. Still, he’s coming off seven innings of shutout ball against a good Cardinals squad, so he should have some confidence on the mound.

A win today would secure the first series win since the sweep of the Cubs. After getting roughed up by the Diamondbacks and the Royals, some winning would do us all some good.

Start time: 7:10PM PDT
Radio: 94.9FM, 860AM (Español)
TV: Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Deportes San Diego
Online: MLB.TV