Daniel Murphy – Padre Killer

At the start of each series, we at Chicken Friars will zero in on an opposing player known to be a “Padre Killer.” No matter the day, time or place, this player is known to be a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to playing against the San Diego Padres.

In this column, I will analyze that player’s statistics against the Friars and try to offer some insight on how not to let that player beat our beloved team.

For weeks leading up to Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline, it was reported by several MLB insiders that the New York Mets rejected a trade proposal from the San Diego Padres that would have shipped Padres relief pitcher Luke Gregerson to the Mets for second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Murphy would have been a huge get for the Padres, not only from the standpoint that it would have added another quality bat in the Padres’ lineup, but because of the damage he does when he plays against the Friars.

Murphy is a Padre killer, and here are his numbers to prove it:

The 27-year-old left handed hitter owns Citi Field. In 179 career games played at Citi Field, Murphy has a .321 batting average with nine home runs and 72 RBI.

However, Murphy and the Mets won’t be playing the Padres in a three game set at Citi Field, instead, they head west and play at Petco Park where Murphy also fairs well.

At Petco Murphy has a .294 average with zero home runs and one RBI.

If I were the Padres, I would make Murphy chase. Throw him pitches hard and away. I believe making Murphy chase pitches is the only way the Padres can stop Murphy.

Statistics Courtesy of: Baseball Reference