Pads try to snap out of Petco funk
The Friars hope to end their Petco Park horror show with three games against the Dodgers this weekend. To say the Pads are struggling offensively at home would be a gross understatement, as the club managed only three runs over three games, en route to getting swept by Arizona. The Petco slump (.210 home team batting average thru 12 games) is affecting all the regulars, as not one is currently close to hitting .300 at home so far this season. This could possibly be the result of a necessary adjustment period for the lineup with the recent return of Mike Cameron from the disabled list. Stay tuned to see if things improve against LA.
Pads-Dodgers Preview (April 28-30 at Petco Park)
FRI., 4/28 — LAD: Jae Seo, RHP (0-2, 7.64/1.58) at Chris Young, RHP (2-1, 4.03/1.12)
SAT., 4/29 — LAD: Brett Tomko, RHP (2-1, 4.70/1.48) at Clay Hensley, RHP (1-1, 6.28/1.81)
Key matchups: Cameron is 5-for-13 with a HR off Tomko. Brian Giles is 10-for-34 with 2 HR, 4 doubles and 4 walks. Mike Piazza is 7-for-22 with a HR.
SUN., 4/30 — LAD: Derek Lowe, RHP (1-1, 3.77/1.23) at Chan Ho Park, RHP (1-1, 4.62/1.34)
Key matchups: Piazza is 2-for-2 with 2 HR versus Lowe. Dave Roberts is 5-for-13 and Khalil Greene is 4-for-11.
CHRIS YOUNG PROBABLE FOR FRIDAY START… Young is expected to start as scheduled on Friday night against the Dodgers after medication helped alleviate reduced blood flow to an artery in his pitching thumb. With the way right-hander got knocked around by the Mets last Saturday, however, fantasy owners may want to go with an alternative, at least for this start.
ROBERTS RESTED ON TUESDAY WITH SWOLLEN KNEE… Roberts wasn’t happy about missing his third start of the season on Tuesday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, but manager Bruce Bochy said the club’s medical staff recommended resting the left fielder because of swelling in his knee. The speedster returned to the lineup Wednesday afternoon and went 1-for-4.
BARFIELD GETS DAY OFF WEDNESDAY… Due more to matchup considerations than anything else, 2B Josh Barfield (1-for-8 in first two games) was given the day off in the finale of the series with the D’backs in favor of Mark Bellhorn. Bochy wanted to make use of Bellhorn’s experience in facing Arizona’s Orlando Hernandez. The veteran infielder responded by going 1-for-3 with a homer off "El Duque." With Barfield’s absence from the lineup, Cameron moved up to the No. 2 slot in the order.
WILLIAMS AND PARK SOLID, PEAVY SHELLED… In a role reversal of sorts, Woody Williams (6.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Ks) and Park (8.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 Ks), who both began the season in the bullpen, turned in solid starts against the D’backs, whereas staff ace Jake Peavy (6.1 IP, 6 ER, 10 hits, 3 walks) was pounded by an opponent against whom he had enjoyed prior success.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to e-mail me at dmfilip@hotmail.com.
mlblogspadrepostings
Hello neighbor. Andrei from BLOGGIN’ IN LA @ http://dodgerdrei.mlblogs.com. I like your site and have included it as a link titled BLOGS FROM NL WEST RIVALS, to give the readers a view from other writers of our respective NL West teams. I will be down at PETCO this Sunday. When I go, i’m usually over at the SRO section by the LF foul pole. If I get that spot this Sunday, you won’t miss me. Because each time i’ve been there, i’ve displayed my Dodger fleece blanket on the chain link fence for the stadium to see. Surprisingly, i’ve had visitors come by and actually complement me, I had no idea this would be that much of a conversation piece. So, if you’re at the game Sunday, stop by and say hello. It would be nice to meet a fellow blogger. Well, hope to see you at the game.