Game Preview: Padres Look to Sweep in Series Finale

Aug 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder

(center) is splashed with water by teammates after he hit a walk-off RBI single to beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres have continued their post All Star break hot stretch into August and aim to keep it rolling today. It took extras last night to finish off the Braves, but Will Venable came through in the clutch for the walk off win.

This afternoon they’ll have a chance to sweep the Atlanta Braves, and it’ll be a nice way to get back at them for being the only team to take a series against them since the All-Star break.

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It’s taken great pitching performances from both Eric Stults and Ian Kennedy to put the Padres in position to sweep. The two have combined to give up only 2 runs on 4 hits over 11 1/3 innings. Obviosuly they put the team in a great place, but they’ve needed the pen to finish off the job, and they’ve been up to the task. Padre relievers have surrendered only 1 run in the first 2 games of the series over 9 2/3 innings.

Jul 29, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(38) pitches during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchup:

The Padres will send Tyson Ross (10-10, 2.60 ERA) who is coming off a career month in the midst of a career year. In July, Ross made six starts only allowing only 5 runs on 28 hits over 41 innings.

To put it in perspective, the Padres scored 8 runs in the 7th inning of Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals. In the day before Wedneday’s offensive surge, Ross put a stamp on his phenomenal month with a 6 inning, 1 run, and 4 hit outing against the Cardinals. The only concerning number was the 5 walks he issued. In his 5 earlier starts in July he only gave out 5 free passes. So far it’s just an outlier, but today we’ll see if it starts to become a trend.

Aaron Harang (9-6, 3.43 ERA) will get the task of opposing Ross. It’s been a resurgent year for Harang, whose career looked just about over when he failed to make the Indians rotation out of Spring Training.

The Braves took a flier on him with all of their injuries and he’s produced more than anyone could have guessed. At 36 years old, he’s on pace to post the lowest ERA of his career after coming off a year in which he had his highest ERA.

His last time out was not one of his finer performances though. He went 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits getting a no decision. It was by no means a bad start, but for him it was one of his worst. The Padre hitters will be in for a challenge, but the way they’ve been hitting they should be able to scratch across a few runs in support of Ross.

Aug 1, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman

(14) singles during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Player to Watch:

In this series Tommy Medica is 7 for 9 with 4 RBI at the plate. It’s clear he’s in one of the hottest stretches of his young career. Over his last 8 games he’s hitting .500/.531/.767 with a WRC+ of 276. That means that his offensive production has been close to triple the league average over this last stretch.

His first stint with the big league club this year left us with more questions than answers, but recently, he’s been answering them and forcing his way into the everyday lineup.

With all of Yonder Alonso‘s struggles and injuries this year, it looks like they are going forward with Medica, whose seen the lion’s share of time at first base due to the huge impact his bat has on the lineup. When he comes to the plate drop everything your doing, because your in for a show.

Aug 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Will Venable (25) hits a walk-off RBI single in the twelfth inning against the Atlanta Braves to beat the Braves 3-2 at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to Padres Victory:

The Padres have been hot lately, but every streak goes cold eventually. Here are the keys to prevent that from happening today:

Avoid Walking Batters:

As I mentioned earlier, Ross walked 5 batters in 6 innings in his last start. That would end up tying his second highest walk total of the season. Luckily it didn’t burn him then, but walks always seem to find a way to haunt a pitcher. Lightning rarely strikes twice, so Ross will have to improve upon his control this time out.

Timely Hitting:

In the series opener, the Padres went 8 for 19 with runners in scoring position en route to a blowout victory. It was a bit of different tune last night where they went 2 for 13 pulling out the win by the skin of their teeth. Just like walks will come and haunt you, missed opportunities will do the same. If the Padres pounce on chances like they did in game 1, then they should have no issue winning, but if they keep failing like last night, eventually the Braves will take advantage.