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Padres Host Rockies For Weekend Bout

By Nick Lee |
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Apr 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) singles during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (11-12) host the Colorado Rockies (11-10) for a three-game weekend series. These two teams just finished a four-game set a week ago in which they split the series.

The Rockies just lost a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks  and the Padres are coming off of a rough series where they were swept by the Houston Astros. Colorado are looking to get off to a good start in May and get back their mid-April form. During this skid, the pitching has been the main problem but the bats have been hot and cold as well.

Hopefully the recent off day helps the Padres regroup and get back to their winning ways. The Padres were 9-10 last year against the Rockies, but were 7-3 against the Rockies at Petco Park.

The pitching staff has fallen to the lower half of the rankings in team ERA with a 4.07. The Padres are 5th in the National League in hitting with a .258 average. Perhaps playing the Rockies will give these bats life again as they had a 14-run game against Colorado last week.

Apr 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (0-1, 10.80 ERA) vs. Eddie Butler (2-1, 3.27 ERA)

Kennedy is looking to put one of the worst starts of his career behind him. He was tagged for 8 runs and was chased before he could finish the 5th. This will be his second start back from his hamstring injury.

He has 18 career starts against the Rockies and he has pitched well against them, posting a lifetime 2.86 ERA with a 5-4 record. Throughout his career, he has pitched well in the month of May. May is his second lowest month for ERA.

Butler did not face the Padres last week. The 24 year-old will be making his 5th start of the year. This will be his 8th career start as a big leaguer. He has never pitched at Petco Park nor ever faced the Padres. The Padre with the most experience against Butler is Matt Kemp. He is 1 for 5 with an RBI and a walk.

A hot hitter for the Rockies right now is Justin Morneau. He is hitting .476 in the last week.

Apr 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (21) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 5:40pm

Brandon Morrow (1-0, 2.67 ERA) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 11.57 ERA)

Morrow finally got his first win as a Padre last time out against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He faced Colorado last week and went 6 innings while allowing 5 runs and striking out 3. He looks to improve those numbers as he pitches at Petco Park this time, where he has been much better.

He has a 4.20 ERA in his 3 starts against the Rockies. He looks to continue his streak  of pitching at least 6 innings, which he has done in his first four starts this year.

De La Rosa was roughed up, to put it mildly, last time he faced them. He was touched up for 7 runs on 9 hits in just two innings. He had a better start against the Giants last time out, going 5 innings and striking out 7. The Padres will look to duplicate their performance against De La Rosa almost two weeks ago.

Matt Kemp is hitting .415 in 41 at-bats against De La Rosa. He has been one of the best and consistent hitters in the Padres lineup.

Apr 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Sunday, 1:10pm

James Shields (2-0, 2.90 ERA) vs. TBD

Shields is coming off of a 12-strikeout performance. He has 41 in his 5 starts so far this season and is tied for the team lead in innings pitched with 31.

He faced Colorado in that previous series and went 6 innings while striking out 5 and allowing 3 runs. He got a no-decision that night. He has a 3.96 ERA in three starts against the Rockies in his career.

The Rockies have not yet announced a starter for Sunday’s series finale.

The Padres badly need to perform well in this series. They have skidded through the second half of April. A series win here would be huge and I think they can do it. They will win two out of three here and head into a road trip with a renewed momentum. The Padres have good starters in this series and are at home.

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