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Padres Head to Seattle For Vedder Cup

By Nick Lee |
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The San Diego Padres (17-16) head to the Emerald City to face the Seattle Mariners (14-17) for the annual Vedder Cup; which is of course named after Eddie Vedder, lead singer for Pearl Jam who claims Seattle and San Diego as his hometowns. The series was split last year as the home teams won each of the four games.

Some people think that this is a rivalry, but I like to think of it as two teams that share similar circumstances (meaning the Peoria Sports Complex). These two teams have a lot of similarities. Neither has won a World Series, they historically have low payrolls, and they have always had good pitching with spotty offense. This year, expectations are higher for both teams due to receiving a boost offensively this past offseason. Neither team has gotten off to the start they wanted but things are looking up.

Also, you will see a familiar face in the lineup for Seattle. Seth Smith has been a vital part of the Mariners offense this season, with a .266 average, two home runs and seven doubles. Like he did last year with the Padres, Smith has been one of the more consistent bats in the Mariners lineup aside from Nelson Cruz.

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May 6, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Tuesday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (2-1, 5.03 ERA) vs. James Paxton (0-2, 5.08 ERA)

Kennedy has performed well since being blasted by the Dodgers last month. He is coming off of his best start of 2015 against the San Francisco Giants, when he went seven innings while only allowing one run and five strikeouts. He was really in tune with new catcher Austin Hedges in his last start.

Kennedy will have to tread carefully against his old teammate Seth Smith, who is hitting .300 with a home run in 23 plate appearances.

Paxton is coming off of a nice performance against the Los Angeles Angels, going seven innings and only allowing two runs. He has never faced the Padres, but is 1-1 with a 3.31 career ERA in interleague games. He has a 2.89 ERA in 10 career starts at Safeco Field.

Derek Norris has the most experience against Paxton with six plate appearances; he is 1-for-5.

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Apr 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Seth Smith (7) rounds the bases after hitting solo home run in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Wednesday, 7:10pm

James Shields (4-0, 4.25 ERA) vs. TBD

Shields has struggled lately with the long ball. He has allowed 11 home runs in seven starts. Yet he is 4-0 as he has benefited the most out of any other Padres starter from run support. In his last two games, he has allowed five runs, yet earned the win. That kind of run support is very unusual for any Padres pitcher. I am sure Andrew Cashner would love some of that support too.

He has seven career starts at Safeco Field and has a 3.61 ERA with a 3-3 record. Robinson Cano has the second most appearances against Shields, only behind Derek Jeter. In 89 plate appearances he is hitting .405 with four home runs.

The Mariners have pulled Roenis Elias from being the expected starter according to MLB.com‘s Josh Liebeskind. Manager Llyod McClendon has not ruled him out yet, but has not made a definite decision on who will pitch in the final game of this two-game series. It may be because the Padres hit .270 off of lefties this year as opposed to .251 off of righties. If Elias does pitch, that would mean both starters would be left-handed for Seattle.

I predict a split in this series. The Mariners are riding a lot of momentum coming off of a weekend sweep of the Oakland A‘s but the Padres are also throwing James Shields on Wednesday while the Mariners are unsure of whom will be his opposite number. Having just moved within 50 miles of Safeco Field, I am excited to go to both games this week and see my Padres in action on the road

Go Padres!

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