Series Opener: Padres Look to Hook the Marlins

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres welcome the Miami Marlins for their annual visit to Petco Park. Today’s game is the beginning of a four-game series. On the season the Padres are 2-1 against the Marlins and their power-hitting outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Ian Kennedy (2-4, .343 ERA) will be tasked on keeping Marlin hitters off the bases for when Stanton comes up to bat; during the last series Stanton hit a monster 484-foot home run off Eric Stults. Kennedy will need to bring his A-game; Stanton owns a .364 career batting average against Kennedy.

However, Kennedy had a solid start last month against the Marlins lasting 6 innings allowing only 1 run on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts. It will be a great match-up.

Seth Smith looks to continue his hot hitting as the rest of the Padres’ lineup begins to settle in. Since April 11, Smith owns a slash line of .339/.432/.468 with 7 extra-base hits, 11 walks, and 4 RBI. Yasmani Grandal has started to find his power stroke with an extra base hit in 5 of his last 6 games giving him a .987 slugging percentage during that time span.

These two as well as the rest of Padres’ lineup will face Marlins’ starter Jacob Turner (0-0, 9.90 ERA). Turner has not fared well since returning from the 15-day DL for a shoulder sprain. Let’s hope he has at least one poor more start before we gets back into form.

First Pitch is scheduled for 7:10 Pacific time.

Keep the Faith.

Tidbits:

• The Padres optioned RHP Hector Ambriz and called up RHP Kevin Quackenbush to add a new arm to an overworked bullpen.
• Chase Headley and Carlos Quentin are on rehab assignments before returning to the active roster. Headley is expected to be in the lineup against Miami at some point this weekend.
• The Padres’ bullpen is ranked second in the MLB with a 1.95 ERA with an opponent’s batting average of .209 on the season.