Padres Welcome Fightin’ Phils to San Diego

Aug 4, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) hits a grand slam home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 7:10pm

James Shields (8-4, 3.74 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.38 ERA)

Shields has not won a start since July 17th. He went six innings and allowed two runs in his last start in Miami. He has not allowed more than three runs in five consecutive starts. Shields has struggled against the Phillies in his three career starts. He has a 6.35 ERA.

Nola was drafted 7th overall in last year’s draft. He will be making his 4th major league start when he takes the hill at Petco Park tonight. He was 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 6 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. His only major league start on the road so far was in Chicago where he allowed four runs to the Cubs in 7 2/3 innings.

Offensive Player to Watch: Maikel Franco

Some people are thinking…who? Let me tell you, this kid is amazing. In the last week he has 9 RBI. He is hitting .286 with 12 home runs with an .842 OPS in 72 games this season. He also plays a great third base. The 22 year-old Dominican has a bright future ahead of him.

May 31, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) hits a two RBI singel during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 5:40pm

Tyson Ross (8-8, 3.37 ERA) vs. Adam Morgan (2-3, 4.46 ERA)

Ross has won consecutive starts after finishing July with a solid 2.86 ERA. He allowed two runs in six innings but got 13 runs of support in his last start against the Brewers. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 2 starts and 4 total appearances against the Phillies. Ross for some reason has struggled at home with a 4.47 ERA compared to a 2.66 ERA on the road.

The Phillies rotation is certainly less scary without San Diegan Cole Hamels in the mix as the Friars will face yet another rookie. He will pitch in his 8th career game on Saturday night. He allowed four runs and seven hits in his last start against the Braves.

Offensive Player to Watch: Jedd Gyorko

Gyorko has swung the bat well since being called back up. He is hitting .252 with 5 home runs since being recalled on June 30th. In the past week he is hitting .321 with a home run and 5 RBI. He has a .391 career average against the Phillies in his career.

Aug 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Sunday, 1:10pm

Andrew Cashner (4-11, 4.08 ERA) vs. Jerome Williams (3-8, 6.09 ERA)

Cashner has often been snake-bitten by lack of run support this year while other Padre pitchers get runs. His last start was more of that as he went six innings and allowed two runs. He did walk four as well. Walks have been an issue of late, with six in his last two starts. He has three career complete game shutouts and one of those was against the Phillies.

Williams is quietly in his 10th season in the big leagues. He has not won since May 16th. He does have success against the Padres. In 7 starts he is 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA.

The Padres are running out of time. They went to Milwaukee with high hopes of perhaps squeezing back into the Wild Card race. Those hopes are all but dashed after a dreadful finish to that series. However, a sweep here would put juice back into the team and the fan base. This is where I predict a sweep for the first time this season. I think the Padres are mad and motivated, coming back home. It is now or never for 2015.