Miguel Montero – 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 into how not to let that player beat our beloved team.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to play themselves into one of the Wild Card spots, but the Padres who most likely will miss post season play will be playing spoiler, and do everything they can to knock the D-Backs further back from the Wild Card race.

If the Padres want to win the series and be the ultimate spoiler, they will have to contain Miguel Montero who is a Padre Killer.

The Diamondbacks have their share of Padre Killers in Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy, but Montero is the quietest of the bunch. When Montero strikes against the Padres he does it very quietly. He does the little things to win the ball game instead of delivering the big blast like Upton would.

Here is how Montero stacks up against the Padres:

Montero not only does well against the Padres, but he fairs well at home. At Chase Field, he owns a .279 average with 25 home runs and 163 RBI.

If I were the Padres, I’d throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Diamondbacks catcher. I would challenge him hard inside and soft away. The D-Backs have a loaded lineup and Montero is the weakest link, although he is a Padre Killer.