D’backs Vs. Padres Series Preview

The Achilles heel of the D’backs come to town this weekend.

The San Diego Padres have won 12 of their last 20 contests against the D’backs in the past two seasons despite going 84-103 in other games during that same stretch. I don’t buy into what I’m about to write, but it just seems like the Friars have the D’backs number.

It’s a sports cliche that doesn’t really have any value, predictive or other, but it definitely is the feeling over the past year.

Will they D’backs be able to turn it around in the three-game set this weekend?

Game 1 (Friday): Brandon McCarthy (1-3, 4.74 ERA) vs. Eric Stults (4-3, 4.05 ERA)

Stults has been very good in May. He’s started four games and owns a 2.39 ERA in 26.1 innings. However, it looks to be driven mainly by good luck. He’s only struck out 15 and has walked 11 in those four starts. Three of the four starts were against the Cubs, Marlins and Rays, not exactly offensive juggernauts, as well. McCarthy continues to dazzle after being “BABIP’ed” to death early in the season. His last outing was a nine-inning shut out of the Marlins on May 18. He only allowed five runners the entire game. The Marlin’s offense is hapless. But it was still a brilliant performance for McCarthy.

Game 2 (Saturday): Wade Miley (3-3, 3.67) vs. Andrew Cashner (3-2, 3.02)

As long as Cashner is healthy, he is very, very good. Cashner has had several trips to the DL in his career but, right now, he’s healthy and throwing well. In six starts this season, after beginning in the bullpen, Cashner owns a 2.80 ERA in 35.1 innings. Meanwhile, Miley has looked very shaky recently. He earned a six-inning quality start in his last outing but received a loss at the hands of the Marlins. But, in May, he has an ERA over five and has allowed almost twice as many hits, 27, as he’s struck out, 15. Miley also allowed four runs in five innings against the Padres on May 3.

Game 3 (Sunday): Patrick Corbin (7-0, 1.44) vs. Jason Marquis (6-2, 3.27)

Marquis has been good for the Padres so far this season despite only have 32 strike outs and walking 28 in 55 innings so far. He has six quality starts, four of which have come at home, though. In fact, he’s only pitched outside of Petco three times this season. In his outing against the D’backs in Petco earlier this season, he gave up three earned in six innings, struck out five and walked five in the win. Taking the bump for the D’backs is Corbin. What else can be said about Corbin? He’s been majestic. He’s been filthy. He’s been an ace, including his start against the Padres on May 4 – a seven-inning outing where he only gave up one run on five hits, struck out seven and walked three. It was the only win the D’backs got in that series.

Offense:

Padres: Runs – 9th, AVG – 9th, OBP – 8th, SLUG – 11th

D’backs: Runs – 6th, AVG – 7th, OBP – 9th, SLUG – 6th