Padres Head to Seattle For Vedder Cup

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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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