San Diego Padres Series Preview vs. Philadelphia Phillies

2 of 5

Jun 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal (8) tags out Philadelphia Phillies first baseman John Mayberry Jr. (15) at home plate during the fourth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (68-80) start their final homestand of the season against the last place Phillies (69-80). These two teams are in similar boats. They both came into the season with expectations that were not met. Both teams have some serious re-evaluating to do once September is over. Philadelphia is coming off of a series win against the Marlins at home. The Padres are coming off of a disappointing series and road trip, losing two out of three to the D-backs and going 2-7 on the trip.

The Phillies are relatively healthy. They are without veteran lefty Cliff Lee, who is lost for the season with an elbow injury. Jimmy Rollins is also hurting but it is likely we will see him in this 4-game series. He is day-to-day with a hamstring strain. The Padres are a little more banged up. They are without closer Joaquin Benoit, Blaine Boyer, Will Venable and possibly Abraham Almonte. They are all scheduled to return sometime soon but the timetable has not been determined.

Sep 9,2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starter Andrew Cashner delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 features ace Andrew Cashner (3-7, 2.40 ERA) against Jerome Williams (5-6, 5.44 ERA). Cashner pitched very well in his last start, which was against the Dodgers. He went 7 innings, allowing only 2 runs and scattered 9 hits. He has allowed 2 runs or less in 5 straight starts. He has only one career start against the Phillies and 7 appearances total, with a 2.13 ERA. Philadelphia is Williams’ third team this season. He started with the Astros, then went to the Rangers and now is making his 7th start for Philly. He is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA since joining the Phillies. He was roughed up for 4 runs and 7 hits in his last start against Pittsburgh.

The Phillies have relied heavily on the offense of Marlon Byrd this year. He leads the team with 25 home runs and is second on the team with 79 RBI. He also leads the team with a .456 slugging percentage. He has struggled lately however, hitting .171 in his last 10 games.

Sep 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday’s game will have Ian Kennedy (10-13, 3.77 ERA) pitching against the veteran A.J.Burnett (8-16, 4.34 ERA). Kennedy got knocked around in his last start, allowing 10 hits and 3 runs in the loss. He has allowed 20 hits and 7 runs total in his last 2 starts. He has 6 career starts against Philadelphia, going 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA and 26 strikeouts. Burnett has struggled for a lot of this year. In his last 10 starts, he has allowed 4 or more runs 6 times. The 37 year-old has faced the Padres 10 times before, with a 3-6 record and a 4.05 ERA.

Ryan Howard has continued his gradual decline but still has put together a decent season in the power department. He currently has 21 home runs and a team-high 92 RBI. As always, he also leads the team in strikeouts with 174. He has hit the Padres very well in the past, hitting .330 with 10 home runs in 51 games.

Sep 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 features two crafty lefties in Eric Stults (7-16, 4.49 ERA) and the Rancho Bernardo High grad Cole Hamels (8-7, 2.51 ERA). Stults pitched well his last time out, earning the win. He threw 6 innings while only allowing 2 runs and only walking one. He has 3 starts against Philly, with a 0-1 record and a 5.14 ERA. Hamels in a native San Diegan who has pitched very well against his hometown team. In 15 starts, he is 8-2 with a 2.21 ERA. The Padres are the team he has started against the most outside of Philadelphia’s division.

More from Padres News

The long-time Phil Jimmy Rollins has put together a decent season. He has 17 home runs, 22 doubles and 28 stolen bases. He has hit the Padres well also, hitting 8 home runs and 15 doubles in 77 games. Three of those home runs have come at Petco Park. He has played 13 seasons in the major leagues and has collected 2,306 career hits.

Jul 29, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Ross (13-14, 2.81 ERA) is slated to pitch Thursday’s finale against Kyle Kendrick (9-12, 4.72 ERA). Ross looks to bounce back from maybe his worst start of the season when he allowed 4 earned runs in 3 innings. He pitched 7 innings and struck out 7 in his start against Philly earlier this year. Kendrick will be making his 31st start this year for Philadelphia. He has won 4 of his last 5 starts. He has pitched at least 6 innings in every start of that stretch. He is 4-1 in 5 starts against San Diego.

The Padres are playing a team they should beat at home. They need to win this series to achieve the goal of finishing with a better record than last year. The Phillies swept San Diego earlier this year and the Padres are seeking revenge. My prediction is that the Padres will split this series. Hamels will once again pitch well against the Padres and Burnett may out-duel Kennedy. The Padres should feel good about this matchup and a series win is definitely possible and it should be expected.

Home / Padres News