IGD: Padres @ Cardinals (25 Sep 06)
Mon, Sep 25, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 5:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: David Wells (2-5, 4.80) vs Jeff Suppan (12-7, 4.07 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
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The Padres head to St. Louis in a matchup of the two NL division leaders that are still looking to clinch a playoff spot. The Padres’ magic number is 6, while the Cardinals’ is 5. The Friars also are up 2 1/2 games on St. Louis in the battle for home-field advantage in the first round.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
David Wells remains in search of his first win since returning to the Padres. Right now he is easily the weakest link in the rotation, and it’d be nice to see him get into a groove. The good news is, he hasn’t looked terrible in his four starts for San Diego. The bad news is, “hasn’t looked terrible” doesn’t really cut it when you’re gunning for the playoffs.
Current Cardinals are batting .293/.321/.537 against Wells in 147 at-bats. Scott Rolen (.444/.444/1.222 in 9 AB), Jim Edmonds (.314/.351/.629 in 35 AB), and Juan Encarnacion (.292/.320/.583 in 24 AB) have been the chief culprits.
Meantime, Jeff Suppan continues to excel at getting the maximum out of the minimum. He allows a ton of hits, he doesn’t have impeccable control, and he doesn’t strike people out. All he does is win games and post respectable ERAs. And unfortunately for the Padres, he’s got a couple other things working for him: Suppan has a 2.97 ERA over 97 innings at home this year, and a remarkable 2.04 ERA over 83 2/3 innings since the All-Star break. Difficult to explain, but there it is.
Current Padres are batting .326/.379/.624 against Suppan in 178 at-bats. Mike Piazza (.533/.533/1.533) has five homers in 15 at-bats. Dave Roberts (.667/.700/1.111 in 9 AB), Geoff Blum (.571/.571/.714 in 14 AB), and Brian Giles (.273/.370/.545 in 24 AB) also have enjoyed success against the finesse right-hander.
Big series at Busch begins tonight. Go Padres!
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September 25, 2006 at 4:05 pm
As previously noted, Wells has been scratched in favor of rookie Mike Thompson. Wish I’d known that this morning when I was doing my research.
September 25, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Wells has missed time with gout before. I think it was about 8 yrs ago, when he was with the Yanks.
September 25, 2006 at 5:05 pm
Go Padres! Let’s go and beat those Cards.
September 25, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Giles, double play, surprising no one
September 25, 2006 at 5:17 pm
The Cardinals announcers have done their homework: they mentioned the Padres have the best rotation in the NL and that their hitting is much better on the road than at home. And now they’re showing home/road splits for Giles. Good work so far.
Not another grounder to the right side with a runner on. That is brutal. I think Giles needs to be leading off now, with the way Roberts has struggled and the way Giles is prone to hitting those routine grounders.
September 25, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Yeah I don’t think there is any doubt that Giles has given them close to nothing for the past 10 days. It’s hard to continue to win games when your #1 and #2 hitters are lucky to get on base once per game between the two of them.
September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm
As of three pitches, Mike Thompson looks excellent.
September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Super, off to a hot start tonight
September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Oops. That fourth pitch was not so hot.
September 25, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Ben B - talk about how good Suppan looks, please!
September 25, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Yeah, Suppan is definitely dominating the Padres. They’ll be lucky to get any hits tonight. Actually, he did have a really good first inning with three easy ground balls, and getting ahead of every batter.
September 25, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Another easy grounder. Ouch.
September 25, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Lucky hit. We’re still doomed.
September 25, 2006 at 5:28 pm
So Wells, in all likelihood, will have been worth zero wins this (regular) season. The Padres damn well better make the World Series after giving up Kottaras.
Do you suppose that the reason the Dodgers and Diamondbacks have good farm systems is because they don’t trade their best prospects for 43-year old one month rentals?
September 25, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Another lucky hit. Here comes the routine ground ball double play.
September 25, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Keep talking, Ben B…
FYI, U2 and GreenDay absolutely ROCKING the superdome right now
September 25, 2006 at 5:30 pm
is anyone else convinced that we didn’t lose much when Kalil went down?
September 25, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Ok, now ground ball on the first pitch to Barfield, because that’s what he does. Ok, I was late there, on the second or third pitch now.
September 25, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Sweet…let’s get into that nice, soft Cards bullpen…
September 25, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Clayton/Ben B — I know what you’re doing and I LOVE IT….
September 25, 2006 at 5:32 pm
re 17: we lost the Female 13-34 demographic
September 25, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Wow, too slow on that one. And look what happened. Well, here’s the Doc to end the rally, since he has been slumping so badly recently.
September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm
um last I checked the Dodgers traded Guzman this past season for Julio Lugo who doesn’t even start on an everyday basis for them.
September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm
re 21: you wouldn’t know enough about that demographic to know if it was ever even there…
September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Lucky break there. I’m calling it right now, with Giles up it will be like always: grounder to second.
September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Atta boy BG!! make a liar out of me, I don’t care!
September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm
REDBIRD SOUP FOR BRIAN GILES
September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm
re 24
You either, newly-30 boy!
September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm
It’s a good thing the Cardinals’ center fielder sucks, because that should have been out number 3. Suppan, despite the apparent results, it’s still dominating.
September 25, 2006 at 5:36 pm
wait - was that Giles? I was focusing on the 2nd baseman but I never saw the ball… did he do something other than ground out to 2nd??
September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Should have been caught, seriously? I thought that looked like a line drive off the wall
September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm
re 29: LOL! (which isn’t good becuase I’m in the middle of “quiet hours” at my grad school library…
September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm
I’m just estimating, but I think Suppan is on pitch #100 already
September 25, 2006 at 5:38 pm
That one should have been a strikeout. The ump is just blind.
September 25, 2006 at 5:40 pm
is now to early to go to Cla Meredith? I’m thinking he could get through the next 5 innings in 45 pitches or less….
September 25, 2006 at 5:40 pm
In every other part of my life, I am a sane, completely rational person. Yet once a rally like that starts, even though it clearly has absolutely nothing to do with what I’m writing here, I just have to keep going with the reverse jinxing.
September 25, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Lovin’ it!!!
http://padresrundown.blogspot......y-off.html
September 25, 2006 at 5:43 pm
LOL @ 35
September 25, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Thompson trying to set a team record for GB to Short induced. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
September 25, 2006 at 5:45 pm
re 23: The Dodgers got Lugo to fill in for Kent and Garciapra while they were on the DL. They’ll also get a draft pick if they lose Lugo to free agency.
When Wells retires, what will we have to show for the trade?
September 25, 2006 at 5:46 pm
re: 40 Kottaras doing well for the Red Sox
September 25, 2006 at 5:48 pm
re. 40: hopefully this shiney gold trophy thing I saw some of the White Sox players holding….
September 25, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Well if you are comparing Kotteras to Guzman I don’t think anyone values Kotteras more, Guzman has such a high upside.
That draft pick is hardly a done deal considering how Lugo has played. A .541 OPS over 131 AB’s is not a good trade for the Dodgers, especially when they turned around and still brought in Betemit to play 3B.
Lugo and Betemit were overkill for the Dodgers. Wells was a bad trade when it happened and it is a worse trade now that he is hurt.
Mark
September 25, 2006 at 5:52 pm
re: 11
Suppan is dominating. The Padres will be lucky to get anyting going tonight–just five runs on five hits through two innings.
September 25, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Saints block a punt on ATL’s first possession - TD, New Orleans. Couldn’t write a better script.
September 25, 2006 at 5:56 pm
OT: My friend was at the game on Friday night and he got me one of the player calendars that they gave out. It has next year’s schedule in it, and it looks like we don’t have a game on Opening Day. We don’t start till Tuesday, the 3rd, in San Francisco. I don’t know about anybody else, but Opening Day is BY FAR my favorite day of the year, bar none. And not having a game that day, home or away, kinda ruins it.
September 25, 2006 at 5:56 pm
re 43: yeah, after hoping to claim that Well’s stats would “tell the tale”, I am not left to believe that his acquisition was nothing more than an injection of life — a necessary injection — into the rest of the club. note the word “injection”, as I believe that Brian Giles only responds after a “cycle” of “injections”…..
September 25, 2006 at 6:02 pm
ok, could use a triple-play here
September 25, 2006 at 6:03 pm
DP works too, now make it pay off and get out of the inning w/ no more damage
September 25, 2006 at 6:09 pm
can we all make a pact here? Rudy Seanez should not be allowed anywhere near the field this evening…
September 25, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Sometimes these big early leads work against you…you stop focusing as much, meanwhile the other team just starts chipping away, gaining momentum. Need MT to keep inducing those nice ground balls…get a couple more innings and turn this thing over to the pen
September 25, 2006 at 6:12 pm
man on for Giles, but 2 outs…no DP chance here!
September 25, 2006 at 6:14 pm
Good baserunning by Doc there - ready to go as soon as that ball hopped away from the catcher
September 25, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Just got off the phone w/ Padres’ minor league 3B David Freese - I’ll have his interview up probably within 24 hours…
September 25, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Wow….LaRussa going to the ‘pen early!
Every time I see him go to the mound, I think:
“Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight? Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight!”
September 25, 2006 at 6:22 pm
I love Doc Roberts
September 25, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Me too. unfortunately Walker didn’t get the job done this time
September 25, 2006 at 6:26 pm
great, manny alexander, defensive specialist, with the E
September 25, 2006 at 6:27 pm
The Cardinals’ announcers just criticized Todd Walker for making that poor third, launching into the speech about how he’s had difficulties making the transition to third base with the longer throw. One problem: that was Manny Alexander.
September 25, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Bochy needs to go to the ‘pen early. Is Chan Ho available?
September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Is walker hurt?
Boch said CHP is not 100%, but availble for a couple of innings if needed.
September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm
You have got to be kidding me
September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm
I just come home to THIS!!!!
September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm
So much for that lead
September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm
I curse on Edmonds. His mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.
September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm
CRAP
September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm
yikes..
September 25, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Well, we all know the Cards can hit . . . and there’s exhibit A
September 25, 2006 at 6:32 pm
LaRussa looking like an effing genius tonight. Takes suppan out, reliever (didn’t catch name) K’s Walker to end threat. Pinch hits with Edmonds, 3 run jack to tie the game. No way Bochy should have left Thompson in to face him in that situation.
September 25, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Adkins in for Thompson…one batter too late
September 25, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Who’s warming up? Anyone? I’m watching on GameDay
September 25, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Someone should explain to Bochy that there is only 1 week left in the season and Thompson hadn’t pitched in 2 weeks….maybe he shouldn’t have been expecting 6 IP.
September 25, 2006 at 6:34 pm
scratch #71. pretend like I never wrote that
September 25, 2006 at 6:35 pm
On the bright side, Houston has tied up Philly 4-4 in the top of the 7th.
September 25, 2006 at 6:35 pm
There was a rumor, maybe it was Olney’s blog, that St Louis might not retain Edmonds next year. Wonder if he wants to come play RF in SD?
September 25, 2006 at 6:36 pm
I can’t believe Wells has freakin’ gout.
At least they only tied. Just like 0-0 . . . just like 0-0 . . . just like 0-0 (I’m going to keep saying that until I feel better)
September 25, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Curious move putting Alexander in . .. I know Walker has had his problems, but . . .
September 25, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Was Alexander put in just for defense, or is Walker hurt? If it’s just for defense - a defensive replacement in the fourth inning with your #6 pitcher starting?
September 25, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Walker’s gotta be hurt . . .
September 25, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Stros take the lead, 5-4.
September 25, 2006 at 6:43 pm
what about branyan? any update?
September 25, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Nice play by Manny to rob pujols. Not that that makes up for the E last inning…
September 25, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Cassidy up in the pen, if we get to Adkins’ spot in the order with a man on, looks like Cassidy will pitch the 6th
September 25, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Ouch, this is brutal. Isn’t the Cardinals’ pen their huge weakness?
September 25, 2006 at 7:04 pm
supposedly. can’t believe Bochy left Thompson in there to face Edmonds. No way that should have happened. How many ridiculous, one-in-a-million HRs are we going to face during this pennant chase?
September 25, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Anybody know why Bochy hates Cassidy so much? I mean the guy has an ERA under 3 with decent peripherals.
September 25, 2006 at 7:15 pm
OT … good to see Zach Greinke back in the bigs for KC … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260925109
September 25, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Cassidy worked into and out of a jam there…threw about 50 pitches
September 25, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Wow, I just noticed that Preston Wilson is hitting leadoff for the Cards? That can’t be a good/right thing, can it? If Bochy did that, we’d be screaming bloody murder!
September 25, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Stark on Hoffman:
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....n#20060925
September 25, 2006 at 7:19 pm
It seems like we’re getting jobbed on calls on the corner. Maybe two or three pitches on the black for us called balls and two or three called strikes for them. I guess when Cassidy is throwing balls by them in those locations it doesn’t become an issue.
And, yeah, Preston Wilson leading off is a sign of the lack of depth in this Cardinal lineup. They have Pujols and Rolen, and Duncan has hit really well, but beyond that the lineup is pretty weak.
September 25, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Maybe the team could get their second hit outside of that big second inning. Naaw, too much to ask.
Oops, there it is. Even if it was really, really ugly.
September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Eckstein hit a foul off his upper knee last night on a splitter from Clemens.. not sure if that is what has taken him out of the lineup or not, but happened to see it — it looked pretty f’n painful….
September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Giles enables Manny to have a “productive AB” … I s’pose …
September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Big CHOPPAH by Piazza to take the lead!
September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Attaway Padres! Way to absolutely murder those hits. Wow.
September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm
i swear, every time I jump on this site and start baggin’ on Giles, he starts producing…. whatever…
September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Gonzalez pulls a Giles
September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Bing!
- B. Giles ground rule double to left
- M. Alexander sacrificed to catcher, B. Giles to third
- M. Piazza singled to left, B. Giles scored
More! More! More!
September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm
We’re into the 7th with a lead…let’s see if Meredith/Linebrink/Hoffman can get ‘er done
September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm
come on Astros… come on Astros….come on Astros….
September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm
One more inning for Cassidy? Or bring in Cla?
September 25, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Bring in Cla! Bring in Cla! Bring in Cla!
September 25, 2006 at 7:26 pm
FYI, Fantasy Football fans: Shaun Alexander out indefinitely with a broken foot. Madden cover jinx lives on…
September 25, 2006 at 7:26 pm
It’s not obvious to me to root for the Astros … I’m interested to take my chances of knockin’ them Dogs outta the picture completly
OTOH … facing the Dogs in the playoffs would be fun … especially ’cause it’d mean the NL pennant is on the line!
September 25, 2006 at 7:27 pm
I’m not as fascinated with Embree as is Bochy, but if this clears Cla for the 8th, then it’s all good
September 25, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Bochy chooses … (c) none of the above … hmmm …
September 25, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Nope, just saves Meredith for Poo-holes