Padres Head Home to Face D-Backs

Jun 20, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a double during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (34-45) head back home to start a home stand and welcome the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks (33-48) to town. The Padres are coming off of a series win in San Francisco, and the Diamondbacks (33-48) have lost 3 of their last 4. The D-backs are dealing with some injuries to key players as Mark Trumbo, Bronson Arroyo and Chris Owings are hurt and all 3 could miss the series.

Game 1 features Tyson Ross (6-7, 3.22 ERA) and Brandon McCarthy (1-10, 5.38 ERA). Ross has lost his last 2 starts, allowing 7 runs in his last 2 starts. McCarthy has given up 13 runs in his last 3 starts.

Game 2 has Eric Stults (2-10, 5.49 ERA) slated against Josh Collmenter (6-4, 3.87 ERA). Stults has lost his 5 starts, but hasn’t had much help in run support. Collmenter appeared in relief in the 14-inning win against the Indians on Tuesday, getting the win.

The finale will be the Cuban rookie Odrisamer Despaigne (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Mike Bolsinger (1-3, 4.78 ERA). Despaigne had a marvelous major league debut, throwing 7 shutout innings without a walk and getting the win against the Giants. Bolsinger has had a decent month of June, with a 2.57 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

The Diamondbacks are not a bad hitting team, with a .255 average. That is good enough for 12th in the MLB. They are also in the middle of the pack with 69 home runs as a team. This is mainly due to Paul Goldschmidt’s 15 HRs and .301 average. It has been the pitching that has caused the Diamondbacks to remain in the NL West cellar. They are next to last in the NL with a 4.47 ERA and are also second to last with a .269 batting average against. Their defense has not helped much either, they have committed 58 errors, second most in the NL.

This is a golden opportunity for the Padres. They are riding a bit of momentum coming off a series win and now they play a team worse than they. They must take advantage and win this series. A key to a series win is jumping on that suspect pitching. The Padres must once again find the offense they had in the first two games of the Giants series.