Game Thread: 7/27 D-backs @ Padres

The Padres will take on the Diamondbacks today for their fourth and final contest of the opening series. The Padres are 2-1 and win today will go a long way in getting this unusual off to a hot start.

The San Diego bats have been far from quiet through three games, as the team hasn’t scored less than three runs in either contest. Even on Sunday when the bullpen played uninspiring ball, they still almost pulled it out in the ninth.

This team just HAS to take advantage of runners in scoring position. Far too many were left stranded on Sunday.

Tingler is giving the nod to Joey Lucchesi this afternoon as he will face 26-year old Luke Weaver. The D-backs’ righty finished with a 4-3 record in 12 starts last season, finishing with 69 strikeouts (nice) and a 2.94 ERA in 62.1 innings. He also gave up 55 hits, 22 runs, and six home runs.

Lucchesi posted a 10-10 record in ‘19 in 30 total starts for the Padres. He earned a 4.18 ERA to go along with 158 Ks, 144 hits allowed, 78 runs, and 23 home runs across 163.2 innings pitched.

Only once in the last five years have the Padres started above .500 through the team’s first four games of the season, and that was in 2019 when they went 3-1 against the Giants in the opening series. Can they make it back-to-back years? I friggin’ hope so.

Starting Lineup:

Today’s lineup mirrors yesterday’s at the top until the sixth spot. IF Jusrickson Profar will be the team’s DH and he’ll be followed by Greg Garcia who will start at second base. The Padres are also giving the nod to C Francisco Mejia today (the right move) and RF Edward Olivares rounds things out at the bottom in right field.

Personally, I love this lineup. This might be the team’s best so far based on the limited results we’ve seen over the last three days.

Update: 1B Eric Hosmer has been removed from today’s lineup due to another non-Covid-19 illness (same as Saturday)

Injury Report

Diamondbacks

• RHP Corbin Martin - 10-Day IL

Padres

• RHP Jose Castillo - 10-Day IL
• RHP Trey Wingenter - 10-Day IL
• SS Jorge Mateo - Covid-19
• 1B Eric Hosmer - non-Covid-19 illness

Game info

• Teams: Diamondbacks vs. Padres
• Location: Petco Park
• Time: 1:00pm PT
• TV: ESPN, FOX Sports San Diego
• Radio: KWFN 97.3, XEMO 860
• Stream: ESPN+
• Weather: 67 degrees and cloudy