D-backs Series Preview: Arizona at San Diego
By Tyler Roberts
Today the Arizona Diamondbacks (3-0) will start a three-game series in California against the San Diego Padres (1-3). The starting pitchers for Game 1 are as follows: Trevor Cahill for the Diamondbacks and Edinson Volquez for the Padres.
Cahill had a decent spring, going 0-3 in five games this spring with a 4.86 ERA giving up five home runs, walking five batters, and struck out 16 batters. Cahill will be hoping his first start goes better than his spring, but he should do fine considering he will be facing the Padres.
The Padres are hitting a dismal .188, a .314 on base percentage, and a .281 slugging percentage. They put up these stats against fellow division rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres will be hard pressed to do much better against the pitching staff of the D-backs. Not only will they face Cahill, but Joe Saunders and Opening Day starter Ian Kennedy.
One thing is for sure if the Diamondbacks keep getting offensive support from Chris Young, Ryan Roberts, Paul Goldschmidt, and Lyle Overbay, it would not be a stretch to see them play in the Fall Classic. One thing I have been impressed with is Young’s discipline at the plate. The changes in the offseason seem to be paying off, but it is still early in the season, however the stats are encouraging.
The bullpen also stepped up and were lights out against the Giants. J.J. Putz had two saves and Bryan Shaw had another save after Putz rested during the third game.
The Padres will start Volquez, Cory Luebke, and a pitcher to be determined. Volquez started the first game against the Dodgers and did not have his best stuff losing the game and posting a 3.60 ERA. The Padres need Volquez to have a monster year if they are going to be in contention for anything this season.
Luebke will start his second game of the year after losing to the Dodgers with a 9.64 ERA. Needless to say the Padres strength is not its pitching. The offense has struggled in four games as well.
The Diamondbacks have the back-end of its rotation coming up and they should dominate the Padres hitters. Arizona’s offense is humming, especially after the six-run comeback on Sunday. I don’t see the Padres winning any of the games, although I think their best shot is with Volquez on the mound. I see the D-backs winning at least two out of three, but also with a good shot at starting the season 6-0.
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