San Diego Padres Match Up Against Winless Jose Urena

The San Diego Padres are coming off a big win on Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins. Tonight, they look to take advantage of a winless Marlins’ pitcher.

From an offensive standpoint, Tuesday night’s San Diego Padres game was a lot of fun. It’s not often that Padres’ fans get to say that so, hopefully, you all enjoyed a rare big win behind another positive Tyson Ross outing. Tonight’s game, however, brings about a number of anxious feelings.

The Padres send veteran LHP Clayton Richard to the hill, who is coming off a six-inning, four strikeout performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He took the loss, giving up four earned runs on four hits and three walks, breaking up a streak of hot starts from the de-facto ace of the staff.

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Miami sends Jose Urena to the mound, who is looking for his first victory of the season. The Marlins’ Opening Day starter has started 11 games thus far, compiling an 0-7 record with a 4.69 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He is striking out just under 20% of hitters and has greatly lowered his walk rate from last season, down to 5.7%.

Urena is producing a ground ball rate of over 53%, which doesn’t bode well for the anti-launch angle hitting San Diego Padres.

His last outing came against the Washington Nationals. Urena went six innings, giving up five hits and four earned runs. He has given up at least three earned runs in each of his last four starts.

Not only does Urena produce a high percentage of ground balls, he is averaging almost eight strikeouts per nine innings. The Padres have one of the highest team strikeout rates in MLB.

Other than Freddy Galvis, no San Diego hitter has much experience against tonight’s opposing pitcher. Galvis is 4-13 (all singles) with two walks against Urena.

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The Padres are in the midst of a 10-game home stand, seven of which coming against the Marlins and Cincinnati Reds. Both teams sit at the bottom of their respective divisions. While this week provides the perfect opportunity for the Padres to string together a few good wins, tonight could be a real shot to the gut, should the Friars fall.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm PT.