San Diego Padres Have Historically Struggled In Florida

Since Marlins’ Park opened in 2012, the San Diego Padres have struggled to find success in the Sunshine State.

The journey from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida is over 2,600 miles long but has to feel longer for the San Diego Padres. Since Miami opened up Marlins Park in 2012, the Padres are 7-13 in the unique home of the Marlins.

August 28, 2016 was the last time the Padres won a road game against the Miami ballclub. Luis Perdomo gave up just one run across nine innings in his winning effort on that date. Friday night’s contest in Miami was the third time in which the Padres were shutout at Marlins Park. One of the biggest reasons for last night’s tumble, a lack of offense. San Diego mustered just six hits across nine innings, continuing a common theme in Miami.

Diving into the offensive numbers of Padres’ hitters in Miami uncovers some interesting finds. For instance, in the 20 games at Marlins Park, the Padres have hit 10 home runs, half of them coming from Clayton Richard, Luis Sardinas, Carlos Asuaje, and Alexi Amarista. Not exactly the biggest power threats in Major League Baseball (ok, Richard maybe).

Looking at every Padres’ hitter with a minimum of 20 at-bats (both past and present), only one hitter has a batting average over .273, Yasmani Grandal (.381 avg, .548 OBP). Among active hitters, Jose Pirela is the one Friar with much success in the Sunshine State. Pirela is 6-16 in his career.

Travis Jankowski and Cory Spangenberg are a combined 4-27 (.148) with eight strikeouts.

San Diego Padres try again against Dan Straily.

More from Friars on Base

Here is what MLB.com has written under Dan Straily‘s name on today’s Gameday Preview,

“Straily comes off a 4 1/3 outing at Arizona. Starily’s walk percentage of 18.9, according to Inside Edge, is the third worst among starting pitchers with at least 29 innings. But right-handed batters are hitting .098 in the past 30 days.”

Outside of his disastrous walk rate, Straily is putting together one of the best seasons in his career, without much of an offense supporting him.

The Padres got to him on May 29th at Petco Park. The Friars racked up seven hits and four runs off Straily in a winning effort against the right-handed pitcher.

So, if we combine the historically low success rate at the plate by San Diego hitters at Marlins Park with the recent success of Dan Straily, what do we get? Well, the current right-handed hitters on the Padres’ roster are a combined 7-35 off Straily (.200 avg, .222 OBP). Two of those hits are from Austin Hedges (injured). The only Friar with any success, Manuel Margot (three hits)

Next: MLB Suspends Padres Pitcher For Rest Of The Season

One more note of interest, it’s not just Miami. The Padres are 0-6 all-time in Tampa Bay.

First pitch for Saturday’s contest is set for 1:10 pm PT. The Padres will counter Dan Straily with their staff ace, Tyson Ross. Can the Padres break their trends and find success? Tune in to Fox Sports San Diego and follow along with us @FriarsOnBase. Let’s go, Padres!

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