San Diego Padres: Time to go on a winning streak

The San Diego Padres have won three consecutive games only once this season. However, they have an opportunity to change all that by putting together a string of victories against two struggling franchises.

The San Diego Padres begin a 10-game homestand today, starting with their Memorial Day contest against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are currently languishing in the cellar of National League East with a 19-33 record. Losers of three straight and seven of their last 10,  Miami is  11 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves and have been struggling to play consistent baseball.

Probable pitchers for the Miami series include:

5/28: Caleb Smith (3-5, 3.83 ERA)

5/29: Dan Straily (2-0, 3.12 ERA)

5/30: Jose Urena (0-7, 4.69 ERA)

5/31: Wei-Yin Chen (1-2, 5.22 ERA)

The month of June begins with a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds who also have only nineteen victories. The Reds will finish their nine-game road trip in San Diego and be itching to head back home. Cincinnati has a paltry 19 – 35 record and are sitting at the bottom of NL Central standings.

Winners of just four of their last 10 games, the Reds are largely a small-ball team, having hit just 51 home runs this season (four more than the Padres). Their pitching staff has a combined ERA of 4.90 and is allowing a .268 batting average, fourth-worst in Major League Baseball.

The Friars are .500 for the month of May. The softer upcoming schedule should help the Padres to

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improve their dismal 11-18 home record. They will also be looking to minimize their run differential of -50 (200 runs scored, 250 runs allowed). Both the Marlins and Reds have a worse run differential, -95 and -60, respectively.

San Diego Padres offense must get rolling.

The Marlins and the Reds have allowed 270 and 279 runs, respectively, this season. San Diego is slashing .224/.282/.362 in the month of May, continuing their trend of one of the most underperforming offenses in the league. They have 217 strikeouts this month, eighth most in the league, compared to just 63 walks.

Can the Friar’s offense take advantage of two weak pitching staffs? We’ve been hoping for this all season, we’ll if see they can finally get the ball rolling. A lot of eyes will be on the recently activated outfielder, Hunter Renfroe. How will the young slugger respond after spending a few weeks away from the lineup?

Next: Renfroe Activated as Franchy Cordero hits DL

Now is the time for Andy Green and his troops to play meaningful baseball and close out May on a high. Fans have been anxiously waiting for this “first-wave” group to contribute. Here’s where they can start, hopefully.