Padres Head Home To Face Brew Crew

Aug 10, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Rene Rivera (44) and relief pitcher Tim Stauffer (right) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres have a good opportunity to beat a first-place team at home. The Padres have been successful against NL Central teams this year, with a 16-13 record. Milwaukee has a 19-7 record against the National League West. This series can go either way. The Padres offense somewhat came back down to earth during the Diamondbacks series.

The Friars have their work cut out for them. The Brewers have a .255 team batting average and are 2nd in the National League in runs scored and home runs. Jonathan Lucroy is still in contention for the batting title, with a .304 average. He has easily been the best hitting catcher of the year.

My prediction is that the Padres will struggle against a good pitcher in Lohse and Stults will have a hard time duplicating the success he has had all month, and the Padres will fall in the opener. Then Tyson Ross will redeem the Friars in Game 2 and the Padres offense will take advantage of a young pitcher in Nelson. The rubber match can go either way but I am giving the edge to the Brewers because of Gallardo’s veteran presence and Despaigne has struggled of late. But the Padres have surprised us before, there is no reason they cannot do it again.