Padres Preview 09/13: Dinelson Lamet vs. Ervin Santana and the Minnesota Twins

After last night’s billion to zero loss that I don’t blame you for tuning out of, the Padres will bounce back by sending Dinelson Lamet to the mound against the Twins in Minnesota.

Lamet (7-7, 4.32 ERA) is really putting together a great second half to his rookie campaign. Dinelson has a 2.55 ERA over his last 9 starts and went at least 6 innings in 6 of those starts. His success has been largely attributed to his slider which opposing batters are only hitting .136 against. Lamet should have better luck keeping the baseball from flying into the cheap seats; he’s only given up 3 homers in his last 9 games. Some run support will definitely be welcomed but may prove to be a challenge against Ervin Santana.

Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Santana (15-7, 3.45 ERA) hasn’t had his sharpest stuff as of late, allowing at least 3 runs in 6 of his last 7 outings and coughing up 4 runs in his last start. Though Santana carries a 5.40 ERA in his last 3 starts into tonight’s game his record against the Padres is much better, going 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA in 6 appearances. The last time the Padres faced Ervin Santana was in Petco Park on August 2nd: he threw a complete game in a 5-2 win for the Twins.

It’s possible the Twins wasted all their runs last night. The Padres will have to get some offense going and look for another solid performance from Lamet to salvage a short series split in the Twin Cities. Tonight’s interleague finale game picks up at 5:10 PM Left Coast Time.

Game Time: 5:10 PST
TV: FSSD, Fox Sports Deportes (Spanish)
Radio: 94.9 FM, XEMO 860 (Español)