Padres Start Tough Road Trip With MLB-Best Cardinals

Jun 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Thursday, 4:10pm

Tyson Ross (5-7, 3.57 ERA) vs. Tim Cooney (0-0, 11.57 ERA)

Ross has been inconsistent this season. He has struggled with the walks. He has issued five walks in two of his last three starts. Despite that, he has won two starts in a row. In his last start, he went 6 innings, allowed two runs and struck out 7.

Ross leads the major leagues with 48 walks. The Cardinals are a team that will do serious damage if given free passes.

The Padres get somewhat of a break not having to face one of St. Louis marquee starters in the series opener. Cooney made his major league debut on April 30th when he started against the Phillies. He only went 2 1/3 innings and allowed 7 hits and 3 runs. The Padres definitely have a better lineup than the Phillies.

He has been down at Triple-A Memphis most of the season. He will start for the injured Jaime Garcia. At Memphis he was 6-4 with a 2.74 ERA.