Could Saturday night time’s sport be the one which snaps the San Diego Padres out of their season-long doldrums
Padres supervisor Bob Melvin definitely hopes so
“It was important showing up tonight the way we did,” Melvin stated after the Padres posted a 6-0 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs to enhance to solely 27-31 this season
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two homers and Yu Darvish allowed two infield hits over seven innings to tempo San Diego.
“We played an excellent all-around game,” Melvin stated. “We’re starting to find our way offensively.”
But Melvin has stated that earlier than — earlier this week, in truth. In succession during the last seven video games, the Padres have been both sizzling or chilly with their offensive manufacturing
“Offense, it hasn’t happened consistently this year,” Melvin stated. “I’m still convinced it is going to. To be a really good team, you can’t just have four or five spots in the lineup where you are getting production from.”
In addition to getting two homers and 4 RBIs from Tatis on Saturday night time, the Padres on the backside of their lineup produced a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly and solely the third RBI from Trent Grisham since May 2
But Melvin is aware of getting offense each different sport will not be a profitable method. Which makes Sunday so essential because the Padres face Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman (5-4, 2.59 ERA). The Padres will counter with left-hander Ryan Weathers (1-3, 4.28)
Stroman, nevertheless, will not be precisely who the Padres need to face in hopes of getting on an offensive roll. In truth, the 32-year-old has grow to be one of many hardest pitchers in the majors. He not solely leads the league with 12 begins, his 0.986 WHIP additionally ranks No. 1 and opposing batters are hitting .188 in opposition to him
In his most up-to-date begin, in opposition to Tampa Bay on Monday, Stroman shut out the Rays on one hit and one stroll with eight strikeouts in a whole sport.
“What can I say,” Cubs supervisor David Ross stated. “A big-time performance from a big-time pitcher. He’s a star who likes to shine bright. I don’t know how many times I can say ‘he’s a big-time pitcher who threw well today.
Stroman has pitched 73 innings this season. He has given up 21 runs on 48 hits — just five homers — and 24 walks with 62 strikeouts.
“It’s weak contact,” Ross said.
Stroman, who is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in four career starts vs. the Padres, is a part of a solid Cubs rotation that took a major hit Saturday after left-hander Justin Steele (6-2, 2.65 ERA) was placed on the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness
Meantime, the Padres also have injury problems. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (wrist soreness) and infielder Rougned Odor (groin) could wind up on the injured list
“Sunday is a vital day for each Odor and Bogaerts,” Melvin said.
And Weathers is in the Padres‘ rotation because Seth Lugo is on the injured list. Weathers is 0-2 in his three starts since May 14, giving up 12 runs (11 earned) on 17 hits and nine walks in 15 2/3 innings for a 6.32 ERA
Weathers is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against the Cubs
–Field Level Media
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