San Diego Padres try to bounce back against the Rays: Game 2 preview

The San Diego Padres will get another crack at the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night. How will the Friars fare this time around? Here’s how to watch live, on TV and online.

After yet another bullpen loss, the San Diego Padres have hit a two-game bump after winning three straight against their division rival.

The Friars will now look to bounce back and tie the series on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. After Monday night’s performance, you might expect Ian Kinsler to start this game on the mound.

Sorry to disappoint, but he will not.

Instead the second game of the series will pit Eric Lauer (6-8) against Brendan McKay (2-2).

The rookie McKay is having a decent season, posting a 4.55 ERA, 1.213 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts through 29.2 innings pitched. He’s only started six games in 2019 and his ERA is surely inflated by a six-run, 3.1 inning outing against the Chicago White Sox. He’s looked solid in his five other outings though.

McKay will have a chance to face Lauer, who creates a similar predicament for the Padres as Joey Lucchesi.

Lauer has a 4.51 ERA and 1.386 WHIP with 89 strikeouts through 109.2 innings pitched. He’s hovering around his 2018 stat line, making it somewhat difficult to assess just how much he’s improved since last season.

It feels like the Friars were hoping to evaluate him alongside Lucchesi regarding who might be a better fit in the rotation moving forward.

Considering both are left-handed pitchers coming off their rookie seasons with very similar stat lines, it’s a tough choice to make at the moment. The end of August through September will be important for both players as the team weighs its 2020 options. Providing a strong outing against a top team like the Rays could go a long way in supporting Lauer’s cause.

Here’s how you can watch the second game of the Padres vs. Rays series live, on TV and online.

Date: Tuesday, August 13
First Pitch: 7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET
Location: San Diego, CA
Stadium: Petco Park
Pitchers:  Eric Lauer (6-8) vs. Brendan McKay (2-2)
Radio Station: KWFN 97.3 (Padres), WDAE 95.3 (Rays)
TV Channel: MLB Network (national), Fox Sports San Diego (Padres), Fox Sports Sun (Rays)
Live Stream: MLB.tv

For complete coverage of the San Diego Padres 2019 season, be sure to follow Friars on Base all season long.