Padres Series Preview: Padres Look to Bounce Back Against Mets in Big Apple
The Padres are riding pretty low right now. They are 4-14 this month and they sit four games behind the Giants for dead last in the N.L. West.
The Mets will be closing out their six-game homestand against the Padres this series. They came into this homestand on a seven-game losing streak, but they took care of business against the Angels, taking two of three games. Although the Mets are sitting at a measly 18-24 record, they are still third in their division and just one game out of second (ATL 19-23).
We will get our first look at Carlos Asuaje this season. He was called up in September of last season with Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot. He recorded five hits, two doubles, and two RBI in his time in San Diego last season. He also managed to strike out four times and draw one walk. However, he has had a pretty impressive start to the season in El Paso. He is slashing .222/.335/.319 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 23 walks to 24 strikeouts. Hopefully he can come in and step up his performance from last season.
We will also get out first look at Chase d’Arnaud, who has already played with two other ball clubs this season. The veteran will be coming into a pretty stocked-up infield, as the Padres just cut one (Sardinas), but have added two more. He has just 11 plate appearances this season, but also has four hits and seven runs scored. It will be interesting to see how d’Arnaud and Asuaje fit into the lineup.
Game 1 – Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 4.61 ERA) vs Matt Harvey (2-3, 5.56 ERA) at 4:10 PM
Jhoulys Chacin has not pitched well on the road for the Padres this season. In five games started on the road, he posts a 2-3 record with an ugly 8.77 ERA; compare that to his 2-0 record and 0.67 ERA at home. He has given up six of his seven home runs in opposing ballparks this season, along with 25 of his 27 total earned runs. We’ve seen Chacin dominate teams this season, so hopefully going against a weaker Mets lineup, we will see him get his act together.
Matt Harvey will take the mound for the Mets. He has not had a great start to this season. In three games started at home, he is 1-1 with a 5.50 ERA; compared to his 1-2 record with a 5.60 ERA on the road. It’s save to say that Harvey has been consistently average this year for the Mets, which is unlike himself, a guy who has never finished the season with an ERA higher than a 3.47.
The Padres have hit better against right-handed pitchers this season (.228 avg v RHP, .195 avg v LHP). The bats on the team finally awoke from their slumber in the homestand closer against righty Zack Godley, after scoring just two runs in the previous two games. Hopefully, they can carry this over to the east coast, where they are 0-4 on the season (swept by Braves).
Prediction
I think that Matt Harvey will come out looking to prove himself against our struggling Friars. He is posting a 9.00 ERA in his last four starts, and allowing the sinking Padres to tear him up will not be a good look for the 28-year old.
Jhoulys Chacin has continued to struggle on the road, and I believe that struggle will come to an end in this game. Mets starting third baseman, Jose Reyes, came out last game with a supposed rib injury, so that’s one less consistent bat that Chacin would have to worry about (hopefully).
I don’t think our boys will be able to pull this one out though. I think Chacin will pitch well. I can’t imagine a scenario where Matt Harvey pitches worse. I’m thinking a pitchers’ duel for this late afternoon game, with the Mets coming out on top by one, maybe two runs.
Game 2 – Jarred Cosart (0-1, 2.70 ERA) vs Robert Gsellman (2-3, 6.75 ERA) at 4:10 PM
Jarred Cosart got his first start of the season, and first appearance in a month, against the Brewers. He pitched five frames while allowing just five hits and one run. The Padres desperately needed a starter to come bloom into the rotation after losing two of five starts (Cahill to DL, Weaver for obvious reasons). Cosart gave the Padres exactly what they were looking for in Thursday night’s start against the Brewers.
Robert Gsellman has been a little bit of a different story for the New York Mets. He has seven starts on the season, but his last two appearances have come in relief for the Mets. He came in and pitched the seventh inning for the Mets when they took on the Diamondbacks in Arizona. He allowed a hit, a run, and a walk. More recently, he came into the seventh inning again as the Mets took on the Angels at Citi Field. He only allowed one hit and struck out two in 2.0 innings.
This game is going to be the one that the Padres can come out of with a W. Robert Gsellman, who has pitched just three innings since May 13th, will be looking to drop his ERA against the Padres’ sleeping bats. Jarred Cosart, coming off of a strong performance after sitting for a month, will be looking to keep his spot in the rotation and prove he is more than a bullpen guy.
Prediction
I think Jarred Cosart is going to pitch well against the Mets in this one. The Padres’ bats need to come out of hibernation at some point, and I think this game will be the one. I think the Padres take a big lead early and hang on to it throughout the game. That is if our bullpen can hold themselves together when the time comes.
Game 3 – Dinelson Lamet (major league debut) vs Jacob deGrom (3-1, 3.56 ERA)
** Lamet was announced as the starter Tuesday afternnoon
The Padres have not announced a starter for this game. This is because they only have four guys in the rotation at this point in the season. As I mentioned earlier, Trevor Cahill is sitting on the DL and Jered Weaver has been pitching just better than you would be able to go out there and do.
Some rumors are swirling that the Padres, who have a spot on the 40-man roster open, will call up Dinelson Lamet.
MLB: Report: Padres calling up Dinelson Lamet https://t.co/7fjJUZwg3g
— Rotoworld (@rotoworld) May 23, 2017
The team hasn’t reported anything yet, so there is nothing that is certain. However, if the team is planning on starting Lamet against deGrom, the Padres could be in for a long game. Lamet has been eating up Triple-A batters while in El Paso, Texas. In eight starts, he is holding a 3-2 record with a 3.92 ERA and a 5:2 strikeout to walk ration. Lamet has struggled with some command issues this season, allowing for his walk total to be a little on the concerning side. Dinelson Lamet will be making his Major League debut in the nation’s media capital against one of the best pitchers in the league right now. Supporting him? A rather quiet batting lineup who has failed to put up many runs over the course of this season.
If the reports turn out to be true, Lamet could be coming into the league looking to avoid a train wreck. A young kid with command issues could have his confidence deeply blown if he gets blown up this game. But, if he can pitch well and the Padres can get some runs off deGrom, then he could be in for a warm welcome to the show.
Prediction
We don’t know for sure who will pitch for the Padres in this one. But no matter who takes the mound in the series finale, they will have to pitch well if they want to close out the series on a high note. I think Jacob deGrom will mow down the Padres’ lineup in the final game of the series and take two of three.
Derek is a 22-year-old out of Lemon Grove, California. A burning passion for San Diego sports led him to pursue an opportunity to write and share about what’s going on with the teams in America’s Finest City. A young and aspiring sports journalist looking to grow his knowledge and expand his experience at any opportunity.