Padres VS. D-Backs Series Preview

Jul. 8, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randall Delgado throws in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona barely managed to to earn a split in the four-game series against the Chicago Cubs and will now welcome the San Diego Padres into Chase Field for a three-game set this weekend.

The last time these two teams met in early June, San Diego was on the cusp of first place in the division. They have faded and are now 8 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West division.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs this season. Thus far, Arizona is 3-6 against them.

Game 1 (Friday): Eric Stults (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.45 ERA)

The Padres have just won five of their last 24 games, but Stults has been the starter in three of those victories. He was on the hill in a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals his last time out, surrendering all three runs in one inning.

Delgado has strung together seven starts without allowing more than three earned runs in the D-Backs rotation. He has never faced the Padres, and has struggled at Chase Field in his career, going 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA there.

Game 2 (Saturday): Andrew Cashner (6-5, 3.84 ERA) vs. Tyler Skaggs (2-2, 4.11 ERA)

Cashner got in big trouble to begin his last start, allowing two runs in the first inning. However, with an improved slider, allowed one run over the next five innings.

Skaggs turned in a quality start on Monday vs. the Cubs, but a pair of home runs proved costly as all three runs he allowed over six innings came via the long ball. The lefty has served up multiple homers in three of his six starts this year.

Game 3 (Sunday): Tyson Ross (1-4, 3.35 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (12-1, 2.31 ERA)

Ross, in his first start since April 17, allowed one run on two hits in six innings with six strike outs his last time out against the Milwaukee Brewers. For a team short on quality starters, his return to the rotation could be a boon.

Corbin was making his first start in 11 days and he was not at his best, but he still managed to hold the Cubs to just one run over six innings as the left-hander won his third straight game. He has already beaten the Padres twice this season.