IGD: Padres @ Diamondbacks (1 Oct 06)

first pitch: 1:40 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Woody Williams (11-5, 3.57 ERA) vs Brandon Webb (16-7, 2.88 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
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The Padres are in the playoffs, and that’s awesome. But on Sunday they have a chance to take the NL West. Regardless of post-season matchups (they’re all good teams, otherwise they wouldn’t be there — and as Peter points out, “if the Padres keep winning, they’ll win the World Series”), the division title is the goal now. To win it, the Padres will have to go through the guy who currently gets my vote for NL Cy Young (sorry, Trevor), Brandon Webb.

I’d give you the full breakdown, but as has been the case for much of the past month or so, my analytical tendencies have been pushed aside by the kid who just wants to see his team win. Honestly, who can think at a time like this?

On another note, I’ll be out at Petco Park watching this one on the big screen. I know some others of you will be out there as well. This is way last minute for a meetup, but anyone who can make it, let’s get together right around home plate of the kids’ baseball field at, say, 1:30 p.m. I’ll be wearing my Aki “Yosshaa!!” T-shirt and Ducksnorts trucker hat.

Now, let’s beat those Snakes and take this thing. Go Padres!

169 Responses »

  1. Fun, but where was this yesterday against two chump pitchers? Seriously, does EVERYTHING have to be done in the most terrifying, stressful way possible?

  2. Seven! Plus Adrian will finish over a .300 BA. I know that this is one of those things that people wish were not true…but Gonzalez being over that magic mark may help him towards Gold Glove consideration…

  3. Well..this is fun… Trevor for Cy Young…

  4. I wonder if Trevor’s CY chances get a bump from the front-runners both being beaten by his team late in the year.

  5. HAving missed the beginning of this…are all 7 of these runs earned for Webb?

  6. Now all we have to do is hope that the Giants hang on. I do want the division on a tiebreaker – I want it outright.

    Hopefully this year is a reverse of last: the ESPN crew will go on about how pathetic the Cardinals are this year, with just one more win then the Padres had last year and the Padres will sweep the Cardinals right out of the playoffs.

  7. So much for the no-no. The quest continues…

  8. Re: 57. It will be all the more satisfying when CY does it against the Cardinals in the first round….

  9. Wow – how deep was Barfield playing there? He and Giles were practically holding hands!

  10. The Giants continue their quest to their 6-month holiday: 3-3 tie in SF

  11. Schmidt’s at 107 pitches, Stults at 63. The Giants’ bullpen will do us no favours.

  12. Hope they brought pillows and blankets to Phone Co Park, cause the Giants are laying down.

  13. Heard the Giants’ are not playing anybody today, just like yesterday. Probably already have the tee times going. Jerks. Where’s the dignity?

  14. anyone else think they just blinked and went back to 1986?

  15. should we leave Woody in? I know he’s not going to be starting in the playoffs unless there’s an emergency, but why spend innings here? Guess maybe they want to leave him in for 5 full so he can get the W.

  16. The Giants have tried to help LA get the division this last series. It has been disgraceful.

  17. 65: I really don’t see any reason to remove him.

  18. Let Woody go until he’s spent…he’ll be going on normal rest or more anyway…and it won’t hurt to rest our big three out of the pen if we can…

  19. LOL at Tony…”He must’ve lost a bet…”

  20. Giants continue to go through the motions – 4-3 Dogs

  21. Quick hello to the DS crew…

    I am off to a wedding…

    Nice to see these middle innings…Go Pads…Go Pads…

    Stupid Giants…put up a fight or something.

    Looks like we should start at home…WOOHOO!!!

  22. Dodger pitchers through 7 innings – 83 pitches. Better swing first pitch, Giants. Might miss your flight otherwise…

  23. That’s pathetic. At least the DB’s are putting up an effort

  24. with a 7-2 lead in the 7th…do we start clearing the bench here to make sure we don’t get anyone injured at this point?

  25. I say yes. It would be very like the Padres to get someone hurt here.

  26. That’s one advantage the way the Dodgers did it – their regulars are on the bench and unlikely to get hurt, but are available should the game be close in the end.

    If the Padres start pulling regulars and the game suddenly gets close, we don’t have much left on the bench to seal the win….

  27. Great, now we have a save-able situation

  28. Friggin sweeeet catch by Giles! Need to get Woody out of there. He’s giving up big flies by the bunches now.

    Lucky Giles didn’t break his leg there.

  29. What a play by Giles…

  30. It’s time to go get Woody I’m afraid….

  31. Yep, pull him now, but better not be Cla

  32. I’m torn on so many levels. I want the division outright, but I also would like to see the Padres at Shea (my friend has tickets for Game 1). Also, I wanted a comfortable lead, but I’d also like to see Trevor finish the season with a save.

  33. Why do I not feel confident, despite the fact that we have a three run lead and the Dogs only have a one run lead….

  34. “Lucky Giles didn’t break his leg there.”

    Yeah, his cleat got caught in the chain link there…

  35. b/c the veteran Giants, blood enemies of the Dodgers (or so they say) are laying down, and the DB’s are fightin’ and scrappin’

  36. Giants have runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the eighth.

  37. Sean, because the Dogs aren’t facing a team with any pride? That Giant locker room is full of discord…but when a team’s leader is equally as well-known for selfishness as for his on-field prowess, no one should be surprised…

  38. Two outs. Niekro mails it in.

  39. And Feliz, surprise, swings first pitch and flies out.

  40. byrnes is a good ballplayer

  41. klesko-once again, good ab

  42. Ryno has already shown that he deserves a roster spot far more than Bellhorn.

  43. We have a Klesko sighting – let’s see if we see him in the postseason.

  44. 93: no kidding. Plus, he’s a veteran guy w/ Bochy, so no reason to think he won’t be on there.

  45. Bellhorn’s D is probably better, but if KG is healthy we have less of a pressing need for a left-side infielder

  46. not just that he’ll be on, but that he deserves it. Guy can still hit

  47. Please keep Bellhorn off the post-season roster, if only so not to tempt Bochy to use him…

  48. According to the playoff broadcast schedule, if we win today we play at 4pm ET Tuesday and Thursday. Lots of fun for all, since regardless of time zone you’re probably going to have to skip work. Looks like ESPN.

  49. Why are we using Linebrink here? Does this mean Hoffman in the 9th, or Linebrink for 2 IP?