San Diego Padres Series Preview: Friars Visit Coors Field For First Time in 2019
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres will start a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field this Friday, May 10. The series will run from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12, as the Padres will need to take advantage of the Rockies current uninspiring form.
The Friars are coming off winning two of three games against the New York Mets at Petco Park and will look to keep that form going in Denver. The Padres’ pitching was solid in that three-game set against the Mets as it held the New York team to two runs or less in two of the three games played.
However, the offense will need to step it up as batting tends to be the highlight in games played in Colorado. The Padres’ batters will need to take full advantage of Coors Field and the Rockies’ poor pitching staff throughout this series.
Andy Green’s side has a 21-17 record heading into this series and will need to come out with a series win to gain some ground on the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. The Rockies have a 17-20 record heading into this series but are coming off a 12-11 win against the San Francisco Giants.
The mile-high club is suffering from some of the same problems that have been seen in the past. There is a plethora of talent in the batting order with players like Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado, but the pitching staff has been underwhelming.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1 (Friday, May 10 – 5:40 P.M. PST) German Marquez (3-2, 3.46 ERA) vs Eric Lauer (2-3, 4.30 ERA)
Game 2 (Saturday, May 11 – 5:10 P.M. PST) TBD vs Joey Lucchesi (3-2, 5.00 ERA)
Game 3 (Sunday, May 12 – 12:10 P.M. PST) TBD vs Nick Margevicius (2-3, 3.47 ERA)
It is still unknown as to who Bud Black will send out on Saturday and Sunday, but the Padres’ pitchers for this series have been confirmed. Eric Lauer will have a tough task by opening up the season against German Marquez, who has a 14-10 career record at Coors Field.
Joey Lucchesi has a very impressive 1.50 career ERA at Coors Field and he will look to keep that going on Saturday night. The right-handed pitcher had a decent start his last time out as he gave up three earned runs in five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Players to Watch
Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado is clearly the best player on the Colorado Rockies and one of the top players in all of Major League Baseball. The third baseman is leading the Rox in nearly every offensive category batting .322/ .364/ .597 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI. Arenado is also one of the best defensive players in the MLB and can be a spectacle to watch on the field as well.
Just the thought of seeing Franmil Reyes and his massive power at Coors Field is very enticing. “Franimal” is 4-for-7 with a double in his career at Coors Field and certainly has the potential to add to his home run tally of 10 in this series.
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.
Too bad Tatis won’t get to pad his stats in CO.