D-backs vs. Padres Series Preview

The Padres start a 3 game set with their desert dwelling rival D-backs. They’ve had a disappointing stretch, dropping to under .500 for the first time this season.

The D-backs have played under .500 in the month of May as well. They’re 8-9 during that time, most recently losing 2 out of 3 from the Giants over the weekend.

Pitching matchups

Luke Weaver 3-2 3.16 ERA vs. Chris Paddack 3-2 1.99 ERA

Zach Greinke 6-1 2.78 ERA vs. Matt Strahm 1-3 3.07 ERA

Merrill Kelly 4-4 4.21 vs. Eric Lauer 2-4 5.24 ERA

Hitters to watch

Manny Machado 8/24 1 HR 4 RBI .433 OBP .333 BA last 7 games

Eric Hosmer 8/24 0 HR 0 RBI .448 OBP .333 BA last 7 games

Adam Jones 11/33 2 HR 7 RBI .375 OBP .355 BA last 7 games

Eduardo Escobar 9/32 3 HR 10 RBI .303 OBP .281 BA last 7 games

In many ways, these two teams are evenly matched. Both Weaver and Paddack have pitched extremely well all season. Game 1 is almost certain to be a pitchers duel. Greinke vs. Strahm will be an absolute gem, although it may take 4 hours given how slowly Greinke works.

The wild card would seem to be Merrill Kelly vs. Eric Lauer. This game may end up being the rubber match of the series. Lauer had a nice bounce back outing vs. the Pirates his last time out, while Merrill threw 5 ¹⁄₃ shutout innings vs the Giants. This game could be 2-1 or 12-11. You just never know what you’ll get with these 2.

Either way, it will be an intriguing series. The Padres are certainly feeling the pressure at this stage of the game. Was their hot start a fluke? Or, is there recent slump just normal growing pains of a young team? We shall see, but this is a critical series for the Friars as they go to battle against another division opponent.