Padres Weekend Pitchers

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The San Diego Padres have dropped their first two games this preseason, both to the Seattle Mariners. This weekend they’ll take on the Chicago White Sox on Friday, the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants on Saturday, and the Colorado Rockies on Sunday in Peoria.

Expected to pitch for the Padres on Friday, against the White Sox, are the top two guys gunnin for the No. 5 starter job — Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne.

Late last season, when Despaigne came in for the injured Cashner, he immediately gained a lot of attention with his 90+ mph fastball. In his first four starts in the majors he posted just a 1.35 ERA. Despaigne finished the remainder of the 2014 season with a 3.36 ERA and 1.215 WHIP. Despaigne showed a lot of potential and I hope that he is the one that comes out the victor in this race against Morrow.

Morrow has been working hard and impressing the pitching staff so far this Spring Training. Some of us at Friars on Base think that Morrow is ready to take over the fifth starting spot for the Pads, while others are speculating that he would be better utilized as a bullpen pitcher this season.

Either way, this Friday will be the first real contest for these two to compete against one other in a “real” game scenario and steer Buddy closer to making a decision.

Saturday we are expected to get our first look at James Shields in action. Padres fans are excited to see the newly signed ace wearing a Padres uniform, but only expect Shields to pitch one inning Saturday at the most.

On a side note, Saturday’s game will also be a 2014 World Series rematch of starting pitchers because Madison Bumgardner is expected to start for the defending champion Giants as well.

Sunday Tyson Ross will start for the Padres. Ross is looking to continue the success he had last season, finishing the 2014 season with only a 2.81 ERA in 31 games. Expect to see Ross in the number three starting spot for the Padres this season, between Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy.

Sunday will also be our first chance to watch a live Padres preseason game on Fox Sport San Diego this year. Be sure to watch live and follow along with us on Twitter as we live tweet the game.

Check in with Friars on Base this weekend for all Cactus League highlights as the Padres prepare for the 2015 regular season.

Go Pads!

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