San Diego Padres: Pitching Matchups Versus Mets this Weekend

After a disappointing couple of series since taking three of four from the Giants, the San Diego Padres welcome the New York Mets into Petco Park for a weekend series.

The National League East-leading New York Mets come into town tonight to face the once-again reeling San Diego Padres for a weekend series.

After a couple of disappointing offensive performances after Monday’s thirteen run outburst in Colorado, the Friars are in desperate need of some good fortune at the plate.

That may be tough as the Mets (15-8) are trotting out their co-ace, Jacob deGrom, tonight to face Clayton Richard.

Padres’ Richard vs. Mets’ deGrom

deGrom, 29, has a 2.53 earned-run average in five starts so far this season (32 innings pitched). His last two starts (14.1 innings, 10 hits, three earned runs, 22 strikeouts, three walks) were both no-decisions as the Mets’ bullpen blew both saves. He’ll surely be out for justice tonight.

Richard (1-2, 5.67 ERA), is coming off of three consecutive starts giving up three or more earned runs.

Over those starts, he’s pitched fifteen innings, allowing seventeen hits and eleven earned runs, walking nine and striking out twelve. Tonight needs to be a night of justice for the veteran left-hander, as well.

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Joey Fuego vs. Jason Vargas

Jason Vargas will make his season/team debut for New York on Saturday.

Vargas, 35, broke the hamate bone in his right, non-throwing hand during the last week of Spring Training after taking a line-drive off of it.

He’ll be facing a left-handed counterpart in the Padres’ exciting rookie, Joey Lucchesi.

The Friars’ 24-year-old has looked increasingly impressive in each of his first five MLB starts, apart from a very tough inning against the D-Backs last Sunday.

Between his two previous starts in Colorado on April 10 and versus San Francisco on April 15, Lucchesi allowed just one earned run on nine hits, striking out seventeen batters and walking just two over twelve innings.

I’d imagine he’d like to get back to this type of production on Saturday against the Mets.

Mitchell vs. Wheeler

Bryan Mitchell will take the mound for the Friars on Sunday, facing the Mets’ right-hander Zack Wheeler.

Mitchell has not been great this season. Apart from his 5.2 innings of three-hit shutout ball (six walks) against the defending World Series champion Astros on April 7, he’s allowed sixteen earned runs on twenty-five hits over twenty innings, walking a staggering thirteen batters.

Mitchell could be pitching for his rotation and/or roster-spot, as he is out of minor-league options.

He’ll be facing Zack Wheeler. The Mets’ 28-year-old right-hander did not make the team out of Spring Training. Once the team needed a fifth starter, he was called up.

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Since his debut on April 11, Wheeler’s pitched to a 4.24 earned-run average with twelve strikeouts and six walks.

The Padres need to take advantage of whatever chances they’re afforded by the Mets this weekend. We need some wins.