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Padres Come Home to Face Bucs

By Nick Lee |
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May 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) celebrate a three run home run by Marte against the New York Mets during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (23-25) are coming home from an up-and-down road trip. They now start a seven game homestand, beginning with the Pittsburgh Pirates (24-22).

The Friars are coming off of a big series win against the Los Angeles Angels and they finished the road trip an even 3-3. They won their first series since May 1-3. They seem to have regained their confidence at the plate and the pitching seems to be leveling out. They need all this to come together again in order to beat a tough Pirates club. The Bucs are fresh off of a 3-game sweep of the Miami Marlins at home.

The Bucs have had trouble winning on the road, posting a 9-13 record. Last year, these two teams met twice. The road team won each series two games to one.

As far as injury updates go entering this series, the Padres still find themselves without leadoff man Wil Myers, first baseman Yonder Alonso and 5th starter Brandon Morrow. Myers is still giving his wrist a rest. He has not begun to take swings yet which means he is likely still a week away from joining the team again. Alonso just started his rehab assignment and was 1 for 3 with a walk for the Lake Elsinore Storm Wednesday night. Morrow will throw a simulated game today.

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May 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Thursday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (2-4, 6.11 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett (4-1, 1.37 ERA)

Kennedy is trying to lower that bloated ERA. He had a solid start last time out, going 6 innings and allowing 2 runs while striking out 6. His last home start did not go as well, allowing 6 runs and walking 4 against the Nationals. He is 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA against the Pirates in his career.

Burnett is having a revival season of sorts. It seems as if the 38 year-old has found the fountain of youth. He has the lowest ERA in the major leagues right now. Coming off of a season where he led the major leagues with 18 losses, he has rebounded nicely this year.

Justin Upton has good numbers against Burnett. He is 6 for 14 (.429) with two home runs. Upton was vital in the win on Wednesday night. He looks to keep rolling against the Pirates this weekend.

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May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Friday, 7:10pm

James Shields (6-0, 3.75 ERA) vs. Francisco Liriano (2-4, 3.86 ERA)

Shields looks to stay unbeaten. He has been a strikeout machine, striking out 82 which is good for 3rd in the National League. He struck out 7 in 7 innings against the Dodgers his last time out. He has not lost a game since September 20th. This will be Shields’ first start against the Pirates in his career.

Liriano, like Burnett has pitched better as he has aged into his 30s. Since turning 30, his ERA has been under 4. He struck out 12 in his last start against the Mets. He has always pitched well against the Padres, posting a 2.42 ERA. He is pitching in his 10th season in the major leagues since being signed out of the Dominican Republic.

Upton also has a home run in his career off of Liriano.

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May 25, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starter Tyson Ross delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Saturday, 7:10pm

Tyson Ross (2-4, 3.84 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Ross had a good start against the Angels his last time out. He struck out 7 in 6 innings while allowing two runs. He only walked one which is a good sign since walks have been a problem for him this year. He is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 3 starts against the Bucs in his career.

Morton’s only start this year came against the Marlins. He went 7 innings and allowed 2 runs while striking out 3. He is 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 5 starts against the Padres. He has good numbers at Petco Park and this will be his second start there.

The Padres will have to beware of former MVP Andrew McCutchen this weekend. In the last week, he is hitting .429 with two home runs. He is really turning it on after a very slow start.

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May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) is greeted at home plate by first baseman Yangervis Solarte (26), right fielder Matt Kemp (27) and center fielder Will Venable (25) after hitting a grand slam in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4 Sunday, 6:10pm

Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3, 5.23 ERA) vs. Jeff Locke (3-2, 4.70 ERA)

After a gloomy start to the month, Despaigne really has turned it around in his last two starts. In those two starts combined, he has pitched 12 innings while only allowing two runs and walking just two. This will be his first start against the Pirates.

Locke enters his 3rd year as a member of the Pirates rotation and his 5th overall. He was an All-Star in 2013. The 27 year-old lefty walked 4 in his last start but did not allow a run. He allowed 4 runs in 5 innings in his only start against the Padres in his career.

This is a crucial series for the Padres. They are facing yet another team with a winning record as they themselves try and get back to .500. If they can win this series, they will be at .500. This will be tough as the Pirates are looking to make another playoff run and their bats are heating up. I am predicting a series split at Petco Park this weekend.

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