Padres Take Their Talents to South Beach

Jul 29, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) follows through on a RBI single in the second inning scoring San Diego Padres center fielder Will Venable (25) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 4:10pm

Odrisamer Despaigne (4-7, 4.76 ERA) vs. David Phelps (4-7, 3.86 ERA)

Despaigne started against the Marlins last week. He pitched a solid 6 innings, only allowing one earned run. He is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four July appearances. He will be making his 16th start of the season. That was his only career start against the Marlins. This will be his first trip to Marlins Park.

Phelps got the loss in his last time out against the Padres. He went 6 innings and allowed two runs. That was his only career start against the Padres. He is winless in July despite having a 2.57 ERA in 4 games.

Offensive Player to Watch: Yangervis Solarte

Solarte has been swinging the ball well in the last week. He is hitting .381 in his last 7 games with two doubles and a triple. He was 1 for 3 in the game against Phelps last week. He is hitting .278 with 3 home runs in the month of July.

May 9, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) reacts after giving up a grand slam to San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (back) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 4:10pm

Both teams have listed their starters as TBD since the Marlins have traded Mat Latos and Dan Haren. Also, Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross are the focal points of trade rumors. This game could feature a number of combinations of starting pitchers.

Game 3 Sunday, 10:10am

James Shields (8-4, 3.77 ERA) vs. Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.53 ERA)

By the time I am finished writing this article, Shields may be traded. In any case, I will move forward as if Shields will stay. Shields suffered a tough loss in his last start against the Mets, when he went 7 innings and allowed three runs.

Shields is 6-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 11 career starts against the Fish. This includes one start at Marlins Park, when he went 6 1/3 innings and only allowed one earned run.

Fernandez and the Padres have a bit of history. It was because of his last start against the Padres that he missed over a year of major league action. He needed Tommy John surgery after his start against San Diego last May. He is 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 3 starts against the Padres.

Offensive Player to Watch: Jedd Gyorko 

Gyorko has swung the bat better since coming back up from Triple-A. He has hit two home runs since the All-Star break. In Fernandez’s last game against the Padres, Gyorko had two home runs and 6 RBI in that game. He had Fernandez’s number.

The Padres may have a very different team when this series gets underway. Nevertheless, the priority is still the same: win. The Padres should be able to win this series. They need to take advantage of a weaker schedule in the next few weeks.