Game Preview: Padres Play To Stay Out Of Last Place

Jun 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight the Padres return home to begin a 6-game homestand. The Padres will need to have short-term memory loss to bounce back from being no-hit by Tim Lincecum for the second time within the past 11+ months. To do so, the Padres will send Tyson Ross (6-7, 3.22 ERA) to the mound. In Ross’ last start against Arizona, he lasted 5 innings, allowing 4 runs, on 9 hits, and 0 walks while striking out 4. This time around, Ross will be at Petco Park where he owns a 2.36 ERA on the season. Ross has been one of the few bright spots during this dismal season.

The Diamondbacks counter with Brandon McCarthy (1-10, 5.38 ERA). Despites McCarthy’s numbers, he should be an attractive target during the trade rumors leading up to the July 31st deadline. He has had solid peripherals (80:10 K:BB ratio and a 56% ground ball rate), so in the right position, he could be an ideal buy-low candidate for a contender looking to add a back-of-the-end starter.

First pitch is at 7:10 pm PDT.

Friar Facts

–          Currently the Padres only have a 2-game lead over the Diamondbacks for last place in the division.

–          Yesterday, more than 20,000 people attended the Tony Gwynn tribute at Petco Park.

–          Since being promoted from Triple-A, LF/1B Jake Goebbert owns a slash line of .500/.556/1.056. Despite being a small sample size, the Padres should like what they see.

Keep the Faith