Padres Look To Bring Out The Brooms

The Padres began July with a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds and enter today’s game trying to end the month on the same high note. July has been quite a month for the Padre organization, which has included trades of Houston Street, Chase Headley, and perhaps a few more players before the trade deadline later today.

If the price is right, the current GM committee should sell anything and everything. I don’t understand the thinking behind it. Should be the new GM’s call on what happens to Ian Kennedy? The Padres aren’t going to win now or next year, so sell while the price is high. Let’s not repeat the Headley situation.

For today’s game, Bud Black will send Odrisamer Despaigne (2-2, 1.66 ERA) to the mound to complete the sweep. Despaigne will be looking to bounce back from his worse start in the Major Leagues, which he lasted only 3 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks.

Despaigne did not look like himself; he could not located any of his pitches. Today’s game will be a good test to see how Despaigne bounces back from adversity, and whether he is able to not let his disastrous last start mentally affect him. It is this quality that separates the good from the great pitchers.

The Cardinals will counter with Shelby Miller (7-8, 4.20 ERA) who is struggling through a sophomore slump. Miller’s struggles has caused doubts within the Cardinals front office. Just yesterday, the Cardinals traded for Justin Masterson and have brought in John Lackey from the Boston Red Sox to help sure up the end of their rotation. Miller will need to significantly improve if he doesn’t want to be left off the postseason roster for the second straight year.

First pitch is at 3:40 pm ET.

Keep the Faith