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Standings
The San Diego Padres are still in second place in the NL West despite losing their last three games, and still have a pretty good lead on third place. One of the two NL teams with a worse currently losing streak, the Cincinnati Reds, come to San Diego dead last in the NL Central, 3 games behind fourth place.
Expected Pitching Matchups
- Chris Paddack vs. Tanner Roark
- Matt Strahm vs. Anthony DeSclafani
- Eric Lauer vs. Luis Castillo
- Joey Lucchesi vs. Tyler Mahle
What to watch for
The Cincinnati Reds and their awful record are exactly what the doctor ordered for the scuffling San Diego Padres. While the Reds have shown the ability to pitch this season, their offense 26th in runs scored and 23rd in OPS.
Cincinnati has been swept in 3 of their 6 series so far this season. They’ve won 1 series, sweeping the Marlins, the only team worse than the Reds in the National League so far.
I’m sure the Padres are hoping that this series can look a lot like their home-opening series against the Giants, where their pitching was able to dominate while they continue to tinker with the lineup to get the most out of it.
Who to watch for
- You’ll remember Luis Castillo as the guy the Padres sent back to the Miami Marlins after Colin Rea’s arm injury, shortly after being traded to the Marlins, and all that entailed for the Padres organization. It will pain you to know that he’s now incredible, and comes into this game with a 1.46 ERA and an otherworldly 0.89 WHIP in five starts.
- Chris Paddack views himself as something of a staff ace and a “stopper”, so he’ll be amped up and ready to go after the Reds to stop the Padres’ losing streak. If he can avoid any big mistakes to Joey Votto, there’s not a lot else to fear in this lineup. Even Yasiel Puig has gotten off to a very slow start.
- At least one of the group of Eric Hosmer, Luis Urias, Ian Kinsler, Francisco Mejia, and Austin Hedges needs to get right in this series. They have been welcome sights for opposing pitchers and the Padres will not get anywhere near the playoffs if that continues much longer.