Game Preview #137: Diamondbacks at Padres

The San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks with clash once again tonight at Petco Park in San Diego. The series opener proved to be what many expected: a dominant performance by Tyson Ross, as the Friars took Game One of the series by a final of 3-1. For Ross, it was his 14th consecutive quality start, and unfortunately because he pitches for the Padres and in the small market of San Diego, he’ll get very little love or consideration for the National League Cy Young Award.

For Game Two, which starts tonight at 7:10 p.m. PDT, the Padres will send Cuban rookie hurler Odrisamer Despaigne to the hill to take on Wade Miley for the Arizona. Despaigne has impressed at times, and confused at others. His unorthodox delivery makes his outings touch and go from start to start. He has been dominant at home in San Diego, pitching to the tune of a 2.25 ERA in six starts. This will be the second time in just over a week that Despaigne has faced the D-backs. In his brief career, he’s 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA vs. Arizona.

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As for Arizona, manager Kirk Gibson is most likely just working out the string in September, and will be fired at season’s end by Tony LaRussa. The same could be said for GM Kevin Towers, who has been rumored to be returning to the Padres as a senior adviser once he leaves the D-backs. Wade Miley has been pitching better, picking up his fourth consecutive quality start his last time out against the Dodgers on August 27th. An anemic D-backs offense has cost him precious wins, and his last time out was no different. Whomever can play the best defense and whichever bullpen can lock the game down, will walk away with the victory tonight.

Keep the Faith.