MLB Predictions: Colorado Rockies At San Diego Padres

Colorado Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Game One:

Can Eddie Butler beat a team not named the San Francisco Giants?  Since his 6 walk small-miracle victory versus the Giants on April 13th, Butler has only issued 3 free passes his last two games.  Not coincidentally his past two games also feature his highest hits against totals, topping off at 9 his last time out.  The only Padre that Butler has faced is Matt Kemp (1-5).

Padres starter Ian Kennedy is making his 2nd start after a stint on the DL.  His first start wasn’t Jorge De La Rosa bad, but he will be looking for a rebound game much like JDLR.  Whether your old school and believe the Rockies success relies on Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez OR new school and believe the dynamic duo is Corey Dickerson and Nolan Arenado…Kennedy’s got your number.  The batting averages for those players, in order they were listed, the past 5 years – – .214, .138, .167, .214.

Prediction: Padres

Game Two:

Speaking of Jorge De La Rosa, he takes the mound Saturday evening trying to further erase the sour memory that was his season opener against these Padres.  Game 2 of the season went much better for JDLR minus a first inning hiccup, one bad pitch in the fourth, and his only two walks of the night when he approached his pre-determined pitch count of 90.

The optimist suggests the veteran will continue to make the necessary adjustments and be just fine (he has been doing this since 2004) .  The pessimist suggests the original Padre beating was no accident and come the third time round the order, the late games struggles De La Rosa had against the Giants will be punished more severely by the Padres if he peters out again.

The word “inconsistent” has dogged Brandon Morrow throughout his career.  Yes injuries have played their role in his inconsistency but (thankfully) Morrow has been healthy this season.  Morrow has had three strong starts and one mediocre start.  The mediocre start was against our very own Rockies (6IP, 6 hits, 5 runs) and has been Morrow’s only start away from Petco Park.

Prediction: Padres

Game Three:

Tyler Matzek walked 6 Padres in his meeting against them earlier this season – – Wil Myers, Jedd Gyorko (twice), Will Middlebrooks, Clint Barmes (whom he also gave up a homerun to), and the pitcher Brandon Morrow.  Matzek’s last start was in Arizona this past Monday and prompted a #MatzekShow hashtag on Twitter.   Matzek would again walk the opposing team pitcher which is a habit that needs to stop effective immediately.

James Shields had a very un-James Shields like game when he pitched versus our Rockies on April 22nd.  The stat that it made it “un-Shields” like – – 3 walks.  In 34 games last year, Shields only gave up 3 or more walks four (4) times. In two starts this season in his new home Petco Park, Shields is 1-0, 13 IP, 9 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 19 K’s.

Predicition: Padres