Preview: Padres Offense Finally Looking To Help Starters

May 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Jace Peterson (3) is unable to make the play on an infield single by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Following a night when the Padres were shutout for third time in the six games, the club hopes to bounce back again tonight when they square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of the three games series. Former Diamondback Ian Kennedy (2-3, 3.16)  gets the call tonight against Arizona’s Brandon McCarthy (0-5, 5.54).

Kennedy is coming off a great performance last Sunday against the Washington Nationals going seven innings allowing one run on three hits. His former Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero added, “It doesn’t really surprise me that he’s throwing the ball good. We knew he was good… He’s a good pitcher when he’s locating his fastball, when his command’s there.”

In addition to Andrew Cashner, Kennedy has shown that he is the solid number two guy in the Padres rotation and gives the club a chance to win each and every time out. He’s effectively using his fastball to set up his change up and keeping opposing batters off balance.  In his last two starts, he has shutdown two explosive offenses in the Brewers and Nationals.

However, like the entire staff, he has been let down by the offense who is averaging only 2.66 runs a game. The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Friday night’s game with the Major Leagues worst pitching staff and McCarthy could be the spark to jumpstart some confidence into a line up pressing each and every at-bat.

The Padres are hoping to get Carlos Quentin and Chase Headley back into the lineup soon as they are set to come off the DL. Quentin is scheduled to play in 3-4 rehab games at Class Lake Elsinore and Headley is projecting a May 10 return from his calf strain. Padres GM Josh Byrnes commented about the Padres offensive woes, “More than likely, we have to fix it with the guys we have here.”