Padres Weekly Preview

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Week Predictions

The Padres have their work cut out for them. A week after they had two off days, this week they play all 7 days with an afternoon game on Wednesday. It is certainly imperative that they beat up on the teams that they should beat up on – in this case the Rockies – and that they can at least get a split with the Cardinals in St. Louis later this week. The starting pitchers have been doing their job with effective starts and lasting deeper into games than earlier in the year, and this will really help keep that dominant bullpen fresh. It is a luxury for Bud Black to be able to mix and match so many fresh arms and have confidence in all of them.

Key Player of the Week:

Welcome to the bigs, Rymer Liriano. The prospect will likely get chances to show off his stuff, as it was a nice move to bring up Jeff Franceour but he just did not get it done up in the majors, and his career just might be over. Let’s hope this rookie hits the ground running the way he hit AAA recently and carries his offense, athleticism, and defense into Petco Park this week.

Predictions:

The Padres will be able to sweep the Rockies, but only split the St. Louis series, going 5-2 on the week. Another winning week, but if they do mean to make any push at the Wild Card they have to beat teams in front of them like St. Louis.