Series Preview: San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies

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Aug 8, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder M. Upton Jr. (2) reacts to a strike call during a ninth inning at bat against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s Meet The Padres

The Rockies haven’t seen the Padres in a month — and that was for only two games, with the third being rained out immediately after the All Star Break in the first series of the second half. Before that, the Rockies hadn’t caught the Padres since May 1-3, when San Diego swept a series against the Rox at Petco Park.

Overall, the Rockies are 2-7 against San Diego this year, including five straight losses, having scored 33 runs against the Friars while allowing a disappointing 61 in those nine games.

Like I mentioned above, the Padres are one of the worst hitting teams in Major League Baseball (.239/.295/.372), but at Coors Field, I suppose anything could happen for any team, regardless of offensive struggles.

Some quick notes on the Padres:

Padres sign Bud Norris, designate Dale Thayer (Friars on Base).
This is a weird move for the Padres, especially considering Dale Thayer had been a valuable bullpen arm for them at times, but perhaps they think Bud Norris will be a potential starter for the club in 2016. This year, he’ll likely work in short stints, at least for the time being; don’t expect the Rockies to see much of him this weekend, but keep it in mind for later.

Why did the Padres close up shop on deadline day? (Bleacher Report).
We haven’t seen the Padres since the All Star break, so it may be worthwhile to ask some questions about why A.J. Preller, their general manager who was so inclined to make wild moves in the offseason and during the spring, would do absolutely nothing at the deadline. (Well, to be fair, they did trade a fifth/sixth outfielder to Cleveland, so…)

Despaigne goes back to the bullpen (Friars on Base).
The Rockies saw Despaigne in Denver the last time the Padres were here, but if they see him again this series, it’ll be as a relief pitcher. Despaigne definitely hasn’t had as solid of a 2015 as he did in 2014, but wouldn’t it be something to be able to have too many starting pitchers, rather than too few?

Who’s the bigger disappointment in the National League? (Friars on Base).
Here’s an interesting thought from FoB — of the Padres, by all accounts a good team that never got it together this year, and the Nationals, a team that should’ve run away with the NL East and hasn’t, which one is the bigger disappointment in 2015?

Ok, Padres and Rockies begin tomorrow night at 6:40 pm MT. See you there!

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