first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (6-9, 5.17 ERA) vs Roy Oswalt (14-10, 2.67 ERA)
preview: ESPN | Padres.com
Coulda been a sweep in Atlanta, but two out of three ain’t bad. And the Pads ended up splitting a road trip against two tough NL East teams. I’ll take it.
Next up, three at home against the Astros, yet another playoff contender. Geez, can we stop facing stud pitchers? Well, no. Not until Wednesday. John Smoltz, Oswalt, and Roger Clemens on consecutive nights is tough. So be it.
| AB | BA | OBP | SLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams vs current Astros | 238 | .294 | .355 | .479 |
| Oswalt vs current Padres | 142 | .232 | .297 | .338 |
The main culprit against Williams is Jeff Bagwell, and he’s out for the season (?). Bags has five of the nine homers off Woody. Among the rest, Craig Biggio (.320/.407/.480 in 50 AB) and Adam Everett (.400/.438/.533 in 15 AB) are doing the most damage. Williams also has an ERA over 3 runs lower at home (4.01) this year than on the road (7.11). His opponent numbers at Petco coming into this start are a very respectable .257/.308/.389.
As for Oswalt, what’s to say? He’s a perennial Cy Young Award contender. Mark Loretta (.385/.429/.769 in 13 AB) is the only guy who’s had much success against him. Loretta has one of the two homers off Oswalt (Brian Giles has the other). You can look through Oswalt’s splits for chinks in the armor; you won’t find any. His strikeout rate is in decline. Who cares; he’s still a great pitcher.
34 Comments
Nady is at first for the second consecutive night against night against two of the toughest righties in the game.
Taveras can hit first pitch fly balls the whole series as far as I’m concerned.
Yep, he leads the majors in infield hits. Probably the fastest guy in the majors.
One of my favorite things about this site: The pictures of Rachel Wacholder.
Glad you like the pix of Rachel Wacholder. Wish I could claim *any* responsibility for those.
Heckuva nice play by Woody to end the second. High topper off the plate, he backs up to behind the mound, then barehands and throws in a single motion. Not many pitchers make that play.
Yeah, good play. The Astros guys mentioned he was a former all-state shortstop.
Seriously wide strike zone for both pitchers. I’ll take, because our pitcher needs it more.
2-0, Padres. Piccolo more aggressive tonight sending Randa on Loretta’s hit. Granted, it was a differenet situation. Lane is not Andruw Jones. But a good throw would have got Randa, and Piccolo tested the outfielder, which is what you have to do sometimes.
Just taking a quick peak at the stats, Olivo’s .607 SLG is impressive … but his 14/2 K/BB ratio seems a better indicator that we should temper our expectations …
Yeah, I hope he’s better than his awful Seattle numbers, but he’s probably not the next Mike Piazza either.
Woody makes another nice play, throwing to third for the force.
In a marquee matchup Tuesday night, Padres ace Jake Peavy will start against Roger Clemens. During the winter, Peavy and Clemens were on a major league all-star team that toured Japan. San Diego’s Bruce Bochy managed that team. … Bochy said RHP Adam Eaton will either pitch for the Padres on Friday night or make one more rehab start for Triple-A Portland. Bochy will know for sure by Tuesday. When Eaton comes off the disabled list, Bochy will have to move one starter to the bullpen.
Plate umpire is clueless. That’s ball four to Nady. Bases should be loaded with no out. Terrible call.
Nady gets caught looking with two men on, but the 11-pitch at-bat was nice. He’s had some nice at-bats lately.
The strike zone has been wide all night.
That was well off the plate. They’ve shown the overhead shot a couple times and it wasn’t close.
Game should be tied right now. Padres have to score here.
Fick: 3-for-8 vs. Oswalt.
Bat at-bat by Fick. Swung at the first pitch.
For the love Gregg! What was that umpire calling?
Astros: 10-for-10 in steals vs. Padres this season.
Well, crap.
What I was typing before Berkman so rudely interrupted: Matt and Mud are talking about Willy Taveras as a slam dunk for NL ROY. Taveras is hitting .301/.337/.360. Is this year’s crop really that weak? Yeah, I suppose it is. I guess Francouer or Zach Duke could make a late run.
I can’t think of another full-season candidate. I’m probably missing someone, but it’s not a big year, except for some of the late call-ups.
Clint Barmes was the runaway winner in the first month or so until he got hurt.
That was a HUGE turnaround…
We leave the bases load and dont score and the stros come right back and post a duece.. that sucks..
Win shares through Aug. 14: Tavares 9, Fancoeur 8, Duke 5. Francoeur may have caught up by now. Win shares underrates pitchers a little, so you could say it’s still wide open.
Hammond hit Biggio. Should he even get a base for that. I mean, it was Hammond.
Kottaras with HR #2 @ AA Mobile tonight … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&did=milb&t=g_box&gid=2005_08_22_mobaax_hunaax_1
Well, bases loaded and no runs to show against Who Shot Kennedy, means the Padres absolutely suck eggs. They are life less and can’t hit or pitch.
What a dishearting game.
I hate the Born Again Assholes. I’ve heard some stories about their clubhouse Jesus loving sessions to the exclusion of others who are not believers. No offense to those of faith. I’m really pissed at the Padres, so natually, I commit ad hominime against the religious practises of the Killer Jesus Bees.
But what else can do to express my frustration.
And of course, Dogbones and Snakes lost, leaving us with a 4-game lead, two games under. Wish we where six feet under, then is might make more sense.
Dunno how you keep writing about this crappy team, Duckman. I know I’m having trouble developing quippy cutisms when in reality, they suck.
PM: As long as they keep sucking less than the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, I’m okay.