Series Preview: Padres Host Giants

Jun 23, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera (2) turns a double play forcing out San Francisco Giants first baseman Michael Morse at second base in the seventh inning at AT&T park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (38-47) host the San Francisco Giants (47-38) for 3 games this weekend. The Padres won the series against the Giants last week, despite being no-hit by Tim Lincecum. The Giants are coming off a series loss to the Cardinals at home. This will be the 4th series of the year between these two teams.

Game 1 features Eric Stults (2-11, 5.36 ERA) against Matt Cain (1-6, 4.38 ERA). Stults has lost 6 straight starts, but has only allowed 4 runs combined in his last 2 starts. Last week, the Padres got to Cain for 6 runs on 7 hits, dealing him the loss.

Game 2 has the rookie sensation Odrisamer Despaigne (2-0, 0.66 ERA) against the veteran Tim Hudson (7-5, 2.59 ERA). In 2 starts, Despaigne has impressed, only allowing 1 run in 13.2 innings. His debut was against these Giants on June 23rd, when he pitched 7 shutout innings without a walk. The Padres also knocked around Hudson last week, he surrendered 4 earned runs on 9 hits.

In the finale, the other young upstart Padre starter Jesse Hahn (4-1, 1.95 ERA) will get the nod against Lincecum (7-5, 4.06 ERA). Hahn has won 4 straight starts and has a 0.75 ERA in that span. Lincecum, needless to say, had a great outing against San Diego. That game was the only blemish for the Padres in the series by the bay.

The main threats in the lineup for the Giants are Mike Morse (13 HR, 44 RBI) and Hunter Pence (11 HR, 31 RBI). The Giants hit a decent amount of long balls and are in the middle of the pack in team average. The Giants will be without pesky Angel Pagan, who is on the DL. He is hitting .307 with 37 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

The Padres go into this series with a 4-game winning streak. Another win Friday night would mark the longest win streak of the season. The key to a series win is the same as last time, jump on the starters in the first 3 innings and do not let them settle down. We saw what can happen when a Giants pitcher is allowed to settle and get comfortable. If the Padres don’t want to repeat history, they must continue swinging the bats like they have been the past week.