Padres give Lamet his biggest test of the season: Game 2 preview

The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants carry on with Game 2 on Friday. Here’s how to watch and what to expect after the Padres won the series opener.

Getting just his 10th start of the season, Dinelson Lamet (2-2) will have his hands full as he faces off against the San Francisco Giants for the first time this year. The San Diego Padres are coming off a win thanks to Chris Paddack, so Lamet will hope to keep things going and bring some momentum into September.

He’s had six days to rest after getting beaten by the Boston Red Sox. Lamet allowed four runs off six hits through only four innings pitched, striking out five batters but walking three. It was arguably his worst start of the season but objectively average, so if that’s his stat line in a poor performance then things are looking alright as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Lamet’s 2020 role on this team is still nebulous though considering his inconsistency and lack of command. When he’s on, the second-year starter can dominate and would certainly own a spot on the starting rotation.

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Unfortunately, he seems unable to lock down his command in a consistent manner, usually leading to an inning or two where he falls apart.

As such, the team likely figures he has a spot in the bullpen heading into next year, but of course that’s contingent on San Diego’s starting pitching status come March.

Nevertheless, Lamet will need to be on his A-game if he’s going to prove something on Friday; Giants ace Madison Bumgarner (8-8) will be in his way.

Surrounded by trade rumors back in July, Bumgarner is having a below-average season for his own standards. The 10-year vet is posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.102 WHIP, and 168 strikeouts through 169.2 IP.

He’s barely skipped a beat though. Bumgarner is tied for first in the MLB for games started with 28, and his 3.74 FIP is actually his lowest in three years. He’s also 12-10 against San Diego in his career.

Hopefully the Friars can get to him though. Bumgarner has allowed six runs off ten hits in his last 11 IP, but he won his last start against San Diego. Will Lamet and the Padres be up to the task?

Game 2 of the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants series will begin on Friday, August 30 at 7:15 PM PT/10:15 PM ET. Here’s how to watch the game live, on TV or via live stream:

Date: Friday, August 30
First Pitch: 7:15 PM PT/10:15 PM ET
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stadium: Oracle Park
Pitchers: Dinelson Lamet (2-2) vs. Madison Bumgarner (8-8)
Radio Station: KWFN 97.3 (Padres), KNBR 680 (Giants)
TV Channel: Fox Sports San Diego (Padres), NBC Sports Bay Area (Giants)
Live Stream: MLB.tv

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