Padres ST 2018: Game Preview/Thread 03/20

I’m sorta glad there wasn’t a game yesterday; I got caught up in all the excitement of the new Special Events caps dropping.

Dinelson Lamet will get the nod tonight in Spring Training action against Cincinnati. Tonight will only mark Lamet’s 3rd start in spring though the righty has been getting his work in backfields and B-games with impressive results.

The lineup is starting to resemble a regular season lineup more and more as Spring Training winds down. Lamet will actually see at-bats in this game.

In camp news and in case you missed it, the roster has been culled some more:

Of particular note is Allen Craig; the redemption project and one-time All Star didn’t make much of an impact this spring and will more than likely serve as depth at 1st in El Paso. A couple of catchers in Stephen McGee and Webster Rivas, a relief arm in Eric Yardley, and an outfielder in Shane Peterson will also all go into the minors.

Of some interest is the development of the bullpen: still vying for spots are Robbie Erlin (who turned in a good performance against the D-Backs on Saturday), Jordan Lyles (who was told is not getting a rotation spot) Chris Young (who has done well despite a rough spot in one game) and Robert Stock, he of the triple digit fastball. Stock has been the surprise of spring so far: the converted catcher has 8 strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched but will need work on his secondary offerings in order to prevent opponents from sitting on the fastball.

If you’re working on your roster guesstimations, Andy Green announced he will not carry 6 outfielders but may carry 3 catchers. He’s also talked of making Adam Cimber or Robert Stock long-relief pitchers, so make of that what you will as either revelations into the roster or just manager misdirection.

Today’s game starts up at 6:40 PM Left Coast Time and will be radio only on 97.3 FM.