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San Diego Padres: Joey Lucchesi might be the fifth starter

By Vikram Muduvadi

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 20: General view of Petco Park before the game between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 20, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 20: General view of Petco Park before the game between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 20, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Will the San Diego Padres go with rookie Joey Lucchesi over one of their veteran options for the final rotation spot?

The San Diego Padres take on the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona today and the south paw Joey Lucchesi has a chance to make the final rotation spot his own. With a solid outing today, the 24-year -old has a chance to dispel all the naysayers.

Opening Day is exactly a week away and Andy Green is in midst of making some important decisions.  Clayton Richard will take the mound as the Opening Day starter against the Brewers next Thursday. Dinelson Lamet and Bryan Mitchell will follow. Luis Perdomo did all he could to please Andy Green yesterday and today will be Joey Lucchesi’s turn to tick all the right boxes.

Joey Lucchesi has had an impressive spring-training for the San Diego Padres. 

Joey Lucchesi has looked like a magician, every time he has taken the mound. In seven innings of work, he is yet to concede a run and has struck out six batters. He’s also posted an impressive  WHIP of .571 against a 6.9 OppQual. He should get at least 5-6 innings today.

Joey Lucchesi’s minor league stats are equally impressive. His ERA of 1.99 over 181 IP is miserly. He barely walks batters and possesses an impressive BB/9 of 1.8. With an SO/9 of 10.1, Lucchesi has all the ingredients of a starting pitcher.

Andy Green’s starting pitcher rotation pattern

If we are reading the signs right, Lucchesi starting today might be a good indication that he will indeed be the fifth starter for the Friars. Dinelson Lamet started Tuesday, Luis Perdomo yesterday and it will be Lucchesi today. Chris Young pitched in a B game yesterday, most likely as a back-up to Perdomo. If Perdomo had faltered, Young would have been right back in contention. Look for Clayton Richard to start tomorrow (will give him an extra day of rest) or Saturday with Bryan Mitchell to follow.

Next: Padres Middle Infield Is Really Good

The Friar faithful will wait with bated breath to see if Joey Lucchesi has an impressive outing today. Good luck Joey!

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