Padres Off To The Desert To Face D-Backs

4 of 5

Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Overall view of Chase Field as a pair of fighter jets perform a fly over prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks game against the San Francisco Giants during opening day. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (15-14) finished their series with the San Francisco Giants (14-14) and head off to Phoenix to play the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-14). The Padres are coming off of a rocky series with the Giants, where they were shutout twice before salvaging the finale.

The Diamondbacks swept the Rockies in what turned into a two-game series on a doubleheader. The Padres may have the advantage on Thursday as the Diamondbacks have to fly home after that doubleheader to start the series with the Padres.

The Diamondbacks scored 18 runs in those two games in Colorado. Arizona is 6-8 at Chase Field so far this season. They are 4th in the National League in team batting with a .261 average. In order for the Padres to seriously contend in the NL West, they need to take care of the lower-tier teams in their division such as the Diamondbacks. This is a four-game set and the Padres want revenge after losing all three series played at Chase Field last year.

Apr 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne (40) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Thursday, 6:40pm

Odrisamer Despainge (2-0, 2.95 ERA) vs. Rubby De La Rosa (2-2, 5.40 ERA)

Despaigne fills in for the injured Brandon Morrow, who is on the disabled list with a cranky shoulder. He will be making his third start of the year. Despainge made his second major league start against the Diamondbacks last year, going 6 2/3 innings, walking four and only allowing one run, earning him the win.

This will be his third career appearance at Chase Field where he has allowed 6 runs in 10 2/3 innings with a 0-2 record.

De La Rosa faced the Padres earlier this season, going six innings, striking out five and getting the win on April 13th, Arizona’s only win in that series at Petco Park. He got roughed up a bit in his last start, allowing 5 runs and walking 3 against the Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks have seen Despaigne the most out of any other opponent. Mark Trumbo is hitting .364 in 12 plate appearances against him.

May 3, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Friday, 6:40pm

James Shields (3-0, 3.72 ERA) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (1-3, 5.20 ERA)

Shields is coming off of his worst start of 2015 when he allowed five runs and nine hits against the Rockies. This will be Shields’ second career start at Chase Field. His first one in 2007 did not go well. He allowed six runs on two home runs and 10 hits in 5 innings and got the loss. He looks to reverse his fortunes in this game.

Shields has been as advertised so far for the Padres. He has been a leader on the mound as well as in the dugout on his off days.

Hellickson faced the Padres earlier this year as well. The Padres knocked him around for 5 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in 6 2/3 innings. He has struggled most of the year as he has allowed at least three runs in four of his five starts this season.

His fortunes have not been much better at Chase Field, where he possesses a 7.90 ERA. He has a 7.43 career ERA against the Padres. Needless to say, the Padres need to jump on him to gain momentum in this series.

Apr 28, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Saturday, 5:10pm

Tyson Ross (1-3, 4.15 ERA) vs. Chase Anderson (0-1, 3.38 ERA)

Ross is coming off of a solid start. It didn’t start out that way as he walked in a run at the beginning of the game, but he kept his pitch count low and was able to pitch seven innings. He has been pretty solid with a 3.00 ERA against the Diamondbacks in his career but has a 4.70 ERA at Chase Field.

In four career starts against the Padres, Anderson is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He pitched well in his last start, tossing six shutout innings while striking out 7.

Matt Kemp, as usual, has good numbers against the Diamondbacks, especially Anderson. He is 4 for 9 (.444) with a home run and 3 RBI. Justin Upton also has a home run off of Anderson.

Apr 29, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4 Sunday, 1:10pm

Andrew Cashner (1-5, 3.16 ERA) vs. TBD

Cashner has had bad luck all season with run support. He already has five losses yet in only two starts has he allowed more than two runs. He wasn’t at his sharpest in the 6-0 loss to the Giants when he allowed six runs, four of them were earned. He didn’t have his strikeout pitch working either, he only had three in six innings.

Hopefully, Cashner’s fortunes will change at Chase Field where he is 2-0 in four starts.

The Diamondbacks have not announced a starter for Sunday’s finale.

The Padres need to take care of business in the desert to keep up with the Dodgers and Giants. Anything less than winning three out of four would be disappointing. I am predicting that the Padres do exactly that. Coming out of this weekend 18-15 would be huge.

How do you guys see this series with Arizona going?

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