Padres Preview: Miguel Diaz vs. Eddie Butler & the Chicago Cubs

Instead of revenge, it seems that Anthony Rizzo got some vindication by way of a “my bad” shoulder shrug and a leadoff home run. Many fans were clamoring for a pitch to the ribs, but instead he got the first laugh, and the Cubs got the last laugh in a shutout victory. Today the Padres return to Wrigley to try to win a game and get a little pride back before they head up to Detroit.

Miguel Diaz will make his third career MLB start, which is also only his third career start above single-A. He’s a work in progress to say the least, but he’s handled himself admirably for a kid thrust into the spotlight. Last week in Milwaukee, he gave up only one run through three innings before losing his command and surrendering three more earned runs and getting pulled from the game. Look for Andy Green to have a quick hook today, with Craig Stammen ready to come in and log a couple of innings of middle relief.

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Cubs starter Eddie Butler might not have happy memories of the Padres lineup. On May 30th, the Pads lit him up for six earned runs and chased him out of the game in the fifth inning, thanks to an Austin Hedges homer and doubles from Hedges, Hunter Renfroe, and Cory Spangenberg. He’s been hot-and-cold ever since, so let’s hope that the Padres bats rekindle the magic and rough him up again.

The first game of this series was a nailbiter. The second was a disappointment and kinda felt like the bully getting let off the hook. A blowout today sure would be some kind of nice!

Start time: 11:20AM PDT

Radio: 94.9FM, 860AM (Español)
TV: Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Deportes San Diego, MLB Network (out of market only)
Online: MLB.TV (out of market only)