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Padres News: Padres Host Mariners for Vedder Cup, Part 2

By Nick Lee |
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Jun 15, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) drives in Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20), not in picture, during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (37-41) will host the Seattle Mariners (34-42) for a brief two-game series. These two teams met in Seattle in mid-May, splitting the two games. These two teams are very similar this year. Take it from a Padres fan living in the Seattle area, both of these clubs really need to win both of these games and get back on track.

That should make for an interesting series. The Mariners are coming off of a tough series loss in Anaheim. Their bats have been improved but still very inconsistent.

The Padres are coming off a series win and near sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. If they are serious about playing above .500 baseball and being in the hunt for October, they must focus on winning series. The only way to win this two game series is to sweep.

In injury news, Cory Spangenberg is now on the disabled list with a bruised knee. That opened the door for Jedd Gyorko’s return from Triple-A El Paso. Will Middlebrooks is day-to-day after slipping on a bat on Sunday. Pat Murphy didn’t make it sound like a DL trip was happening but it’s still possible.

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May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) hits an RBI-single against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Tuesday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (4-6, 5.09 ERA) vs. Michael Montgomery (2-2, 2.04 ERA)

Kennedy has pitched well lately, allowing just one run in each of his last three starts. Before that stretch, he was one of the most disappointing parts of the Padres starting rotation. He seems to be righting the ship as the month of June has gone on.

Kennedy was absolutely shelled in his outing against the Mariners in May. He allowed two home runs, five runs total in 4 2/3 innings. That was the night the Mariners hit 6 home runs as a team. That was his only start against Seattle in his career.

Kyle Seager and Logan Morrison each hit homers against Kennedy. Brad Miller hit two doubles. Seager is having a good season, hitting 12 home runs and hitting .262.

Montgomery pitched a shutout his last time out against the Royals while striking out 10. This will be his first career start against the Padres.

He is a left-handed pitcher and the Padres do hit lefties (.250 avg, .690 OPS) better that right-handed pitchers (.242, .671)

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May 8, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher James Shields against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Wednesday, 12:40pm

James Shields (7-2, 4.24 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker (6-6, 4.64 ERA)

After starting 7-0 in his first 14 starts, Shields has lost his last two. He allowed a combined 11 runs with 6 walks in those two starts. Shields won his start against the Mariners at Safeco Field going 6 innings, only allowing one run with 9 strikeouts.

Robinson Cano is hitting .402 with four home runs off of Shields. Cano is having a down year, hitting only .241 with four home runs when many expected him to be in the running for the batting title.

Walker has been pitching really well lately. In his last three starts, he has only allowed five runs with 23 strikeouts. He was matched up against Shields when Shields got the win in the second game of the series in May. Walker was not too bad himself, going 6 innings, allowing two runs and striking out 6.

The Padres sure could use a quick sweep here. Unfortunately, I don’t see it happening. Montgomery could be turning into one of the best young lefties in the American League. I see another series split here. These two teams are very similar in the fact that they sometimes find new ways to lose every time. Each of these teams are feeling the pressure of getting back to contention or risk being stripped down next month at the deadline.

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