Padres Series Preview: San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies
It’s over! Don’t worry Padres fans that abysmal series against the Dodgers is over. The series where we were outscored 25-0 and the only positive seemed to be James Shields outing in the second game is done with.
Better times are certainly ahead. There couldn’t have been a more perfect place for the Pads to go next than Coors Field. The series will start Friday at 1:00 pm. It’ll be the Rockies home opener, the Rox have had a decent start at 2-1 and have scored a total of 20 runs to begin the year.
It is almost impossible that the Padres don’t score a run this series at Coors Field. You could see the look of frustration towards the end of Wednesday’s game in Matt Kemp, Cory Spangenberg, and other players and coaches as well. The Friars will definitely go into Coors Field with motivation to win.
Pitching Match ups
Friday 1:10 pm Colin Rea vs Jordan Lyles
Saturday 5:10 pm Drew Pomeranz vs Jorge De La Rosa
Sunday 1:10 pm Tyson Ross vs Chad Bettis
The highlight of this series will most likely not be the pitching match ups. The Rockies pitching staff is their Achilles heel and the backend of the Padres rotation will go will go for the Friars along with Tyson Ross, who will be looking to redeem himself after allowing seven runs on opening day. Lets also not forget the series will be played at Coors Field, so we should see a lot of runs scored by both teams, regardless of who’s on the mound.
To me the most interesting match up of this series will come in the second game of this series, which will feature former Rockie and new Padre Drew Pomeranz and the pitcher with the most wins in Rockies Franchise History Jorge De La Rosa. This could either be an absolute slug fest or quite a decent pitching match up. It’ll be interesting to see how Pomeranz does in his first start as a Friar and it’ll also be interesting to see how De La Rosa fairs in his first start at Coors Field. The lefty has had success at Coors, just three years ago in 2013 Jorge posted a 2.76 ERA at home, but a few Padres players most notably Matt Kemp have had tremendous success on De La Rosa.
Players To Watch
Trevor Story
The headline story of the beginning of the 2016 season is the storybook start of Trevor Story. The 23-year-old rookie made history on Wednesday, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first three games. It seems all Trevor Story does is hit bombs, well actually that is all he has hit. Story has four hits and all have been home runs. It should be very interesting to see if Trevor can continue with his storybook start.
Jabari Blash
Blash is yet to get a single hit in the big leagues, but Andy Green should definitely consider starting him for at least one game this series. We all know the type of power Blash possesses and this series at Coors Field can definitely help Blash showcase that power.
Fernando Rodney
The Padres were far from a save situation in the Dodgers series, but it is almost a guarantee the Padres will at least score some runs in this series and may even be in a position where Fernando Rodney may land his first save of the year. Rodney did see some action on Tuesday nights game pitching in the ninth inning while the Pads trailed 3-0. Rodney came in and looked pretty sharp striking out two batters. It’ll be interesting to see how the Padres closer will do if he can get his first save opportunity of 2016.
Jon Jay
Jay has been one of the better looking Padres to kick off the 2016 campaign and he may continue that trend in Colorado. Another reason to look out for Jay this series is because he has had quite a successful career at Coors Field. In 18 games Jay has 23 hits, four of those hits being doubles, three of them homers, and one triple. Jay’s OBP at Coors Field is also the second best for him at all MLB ballparks coming in at .397, just coming shy of his .400 OBP at Camden Yards. If the Padres score some runs this series, Jay will certainly be a contributor to those runs.
Arenado is just simply one the best players in the game today. He has great ability both at the plate and with the glove. At the young age of 24, Nolan already has three gold gloves and is always capable of making a defensive play that will leave you in awe. Apart from his defensive ability Arenado is also an outstanding hitter with a career .307 BA at Coors Field with 41 home runs, 54 doubles, and 153 RBI’s. As far as match ups go, Arenado has actually not gotten a hit off of Colin Rea or Drew Pomeranz but has only faced Rea three times and Pomeranz only one time.
A pitcher who the New Port Beach native is a lot more familiar with is of course Tyson Ross. They have faced each other a total of 22 times and while Arenado only has five hits off of Ross two of those hits are actually home runs. It is unclear which California Native will have the edge on Sunday, but it should definitely be interesting.
Matchups
Matt Kemp vs Jorge De La Rosa
The main event of this series, Kemp is coming off a slow start to 2016 with just two hits in 10 at-bats. Matt will certainly be exited to see that Jorge De La Rosa will be on the mound on Saturday, as Kemp has destroyed De La Rosa throughout his career. In 48 at-bats Kemp has 22 hits with six doubles, a triple, five home runs, and four walks. All of that adds to a whopping OBP of .491 for Kemp against De La Rosa.
Carlos Gonzalez vs Carlos Villanueva
I’ll be very shocked if this match up even happens but I would like to note it just in case Andy Green makes it happen. If this match up does go down then the Padres skipper should really start being questioned now. In just eight at-bats Cargo has four hits against Villanueva one of those hits being a double and two of those hits being home runs. Safe to say it would not be wise to put our Carlos up against their Carlos.
Story lines to watch
Can Trevor Story continue his hot start?
You just knew I had to have Story in The Story lines. This is a question not only Rockies and Padres fans are wondering but all baseball fans as well. The young shortstop who is only in the bigs due to some unforeseen actions by Veteran Shortstop Jose Reyes is impressing everyone. Story literally has done something that has never been done before by homering in each of his first three MLB games. It should be quite interesting to see how Trevor handles a whole new batch of pitchers who he has never faced before, especially staff ace Tyson Ross.
Can The padres score a run?
It is almost impossible that the Padres don’t score a run at Coors Field and if they don’t, then the franchise might as well just be sold to play in some other city. The more intriguing question of this upcoming series will be if the Pads can get their first win. Which i definitely believe that they should be able to, but in reality you just don’t know. This Rockies Team is No joke with the likes of Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, D.J lemahieu, former friar Nick Hundley, and just a lineup that can deliver all the way through. These games wont be easy for the Friars but realistically I don’t see why the Friars cant win this series at Coors Field.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.