The San Diego Padres and Houston Astros battle it out again tonight as the Friars look to make it two wins in a row for the first time this season. Here’s a quick look at the lineups, probable pitchers, and a few notes to get you ready for tonight’s game.
Entering last night’s game at Minute Maid Park, the San Diego Padres were 1-5 and in desperate need of a victory. Achievement unlocked. The Friars took the World Series champions head-on, defeating the Astros 4-1. More impressively, the Padres out-hit the Astros 13-4.
Jose Pirela upped his average to .294 with a three-hit performance and Eric Hosmer recorded his fifth double in a Padres’ uniform. Freddy Galvis continued his unbelievable start to the 2018 season, reaching base in three of his four at-bats and raising his batting average to .370.
Luis Perdomo and Jordan Lyles combined to work seven innings, allowing only four hits and one earned run while striking out eight.
The Padres will look to make it two-straight victories with the following lineup.
Looking to take the series in Houston tonight with Bryan Mitchell on the hill! First pitch at 4:10pm PT. Full lineup: pic.twitter.com/KveIVi8WYc
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 7, 2018
AJ Ellis replaces Austin Hedges in the lineup and behind the plate. Also of note, center fielder Manuel Margot moves down to the number nine slot in the lineup for tonight’s game. Margot has gotten off to a miserable start, hitting just .138 with a .460 OPS through eight games.
Big prediction for tonight’s game, Hunter Renfroe goes deep and Margot records two base-hits.
Tonight’s pitching matchup won’t make things any easier for the Padres. Houston will send Gerrit Cole to the mound, his Minute Maid Park debut. Cole struck out 11 hitters in seven innings against the Texas Rangers in his first start of the season.
As for the Padres, here’s the opposing lineup for tonight’s starter, Bryan Mitchell.
Home debut for Gerrit Cole! 🙌
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 7, 2018
🏟 CLOSED
🚪 4:00pm
⚾️ 6:10pm
📺 @ATTSportsNetSW
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The only change is the addition of Jake Marisnick in place of Derek Fisher.
We broke down Mitchell’s first start of the season, which you can read here, spoiler alert, it could have been better.
We’ll see if Mitchell can find his curveball and the strike zone tonight, maybe even record his first strike out as a member of the San Diego Padres.
Next: Franchy Cordero Made His 2018 Debut Last Night
Can the Padres take their first series of the season, against the defending World Series champions? Tune in tonight at 7:10 pm PT for first pitch. Don’t forget to follow us, @FriarsOnBase, to join in on the conversation as we cheer on the Friars!