Padres Start Long Road Trip in Big Apple

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Apr 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; General view of a helicopter flyover during the national anthem before an opening day game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (47-52) start a 10-game road trip with the New York Mets (51-48) at Citi Field. The Padres have won 8 of their last 11 and are 6-3 since the All-Star break along with an even 10-10 in July. There is an opportunity in New York to secure an above .500 month of July if they can sweep the Mets. They will at least clinch a .500 month with a series win.

The Mets have been in and out of first place in the NL East but lack the offensive consistency to overtake the Nationals. They are two games back in the division and 3 1/2 back for the second Wild Card spot. They are coming off of a series split with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They also are two games removed from a big 15-2 win.

In injury news, Wil Myers may have had a setback after feeling discomfort after hitting off of a tee on Friday. He is to be re-examined this week. Tim Federowicz seems close to being ready as he is in Triple-A on a rehab stint. The decision will need to be made whether or not to send down Austin Hedges and call up Federowicz. Brandon Morrow is also in Triple-A and could soon be ready.

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Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Tuesday, 4:10pm

James Shields (8-3, 3.77 ERA) vs. Noah Syndergaard (4-5, 2.97 ERA)

Here comes the annoying/depressing question everyone will be asking: could this be Shields’ last start as a Padre? The Padres look to move big-money pieces and unfortunately Shields is on the short list. He is 3rd in the NL with 144 strikeouts but also 5th in home runs allowed.

He has struggled with his pitch count lately as he has been unable to pitch more than 5 1/3 innings in his last three starts. Walks have been an issue, he has 11 in that span as well. In his last start against the Mets earlier this year, he got the win after pitching 7 innings and allowing two runs.

Syndergaard has had a good start to his major league career. He has allowed more than 3 runs just twice in his first 13 starts and has not done so since June 9th. He has faced the Padres once this year and went just 4 innings and got pounded for 7 runs in the loss.

Offensive Player to Watch: Derek Norris

Norris has struggled of late (.150 avg, 1 XBH in last 7 games). But he went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBI against Syndergaard in his only start against San Diego. He still leads all catchers in the major leagues in extra base hits. In 5 career games against the Mets, he is hitting .286.

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May 5, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) loses his batting helmet as he strikes out against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning of a their inter league baseball game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Wednesday, 7:10pm

Tyson Ross (6-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Bartolo Colon (9-9, 4.60 ERA)

Another San Diego pitcher that may be making his swan song start is Tyson Ross. He is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five July starts. This will be his first career start at Citi Field but he has a 0.64 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.

The Timeless Wonder Colon will be making the 20th start of season number 18 in his career. He has not pitched less than 6 innings since May 15th. He has 213 career wins. He is 2-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 5 career starts against the Padres. His ERA at his spacious home park (3.80) is much better than on the road (5.57).

Many people enjoy watching Colon for his hitting. This year he is one hit shy of tying his career high. He has 5 hits and 3 RBI.

Offensive Player to Watch: Melvin Upton Jr.

Yes, you read that right. This is the same Upton who hit .213 before the All-Star break. However, in the last 7 games he is hitting 286 with a triple. He has the best career numbers against Colon among all the Padres hitters. In his career, he is hitting .303 with a home run and 5 RBI.

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Jul 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Thursday, 9:10am

Andrew Cashner (4-10, 3.93 ERA) vs. Jon Niese (5-9, 3.75 ERA)

Cashner may be getting shipped off as well. He has pitched at least 7 innings in three of his last four starts. July is turning into his best month this season with a 2.61 ERA. In his only start at Citi Field, Cashner pitched 6 innings and allowed four runs in a loss.

Niese is coming off of the roughest start of his season where he only lasted 3 innings while allowing 6 runs on two home runs. Before that start he had arguably his best start, throwing 7 2/3 shutout innings. He has a good track record against the Padres, with a 2.04 ERA in five starts.

Offensive Player to Watch: Daniel Murphy

Murphy is often an underrated part of the Mets’ lineup with guys like David Wright, Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson on the roster. He has quietly had three straight seasons of more than 35 doubles and a batting average higher than .285. His career numbers against Cashner are good at 3 for 7 with a home run and three RBI. In the last week, he has hit .308.

The Padres desperately need to keep this momentum going. A series win here against a team with a record above .500 would be big. I predict they will do it. They have favorable pitching matchups and their offense seems to be in a better place.

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