first pitch: 5:05 p.m., PT
television: FOX
matchup: Woody Williams (12-5, 3.65 ERA) vs Chris Carpenter (15-8, 3.09 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
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Do I like the Padres chances in this one? Depends on the context, I suppose. I like them better than, say, the Dodgers’ or the Yankees’ chances. Maybe not quite as good as the Cardinals’ chances. Then again…
The Padres have won eight of Woody Williams’ last nine starts dating back to August 13, the lone exception being a 7-4 loss at Arizona on August 28. And the last time Chris Carpenter faced the Padres in St. Louis, on September 26, he coughed up six runs en route to a 7-5 loss at the hands of the Friars.
Grasping at straws? Maybe. A little. But there’s still a game on the schedule, which in my book means anything is possible.
As for Game 3, I haven’t had much to say. To call Saturday’s victory “great” is an understatement, as without it, the season would be over for San Diego. Chris Young’s abuse of Albert Pujols was particularly impressive (although apparently not to Pujols). That said, the club’s lack of timely hitting remains problematic and is a topic that demands serious evaluation over the winter. Hitting 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position over a three-game series isn’t a solution to anything worth solving.
I guess the most that I can say about Game 3 is that the Padres survived it, and as long as they keep doing that, they’ve got a chance. For more detailed coverage of the game, I’d point you to my colleagues, Rich Campbell, Peter Friberg, and Vinay Kumar.
Speaking of Rich, thanks to the Dodgers and Yankees both being eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday, tonight’s Game 4 coincides with the Chargers game, which is being played here in San Diego. This doesn’t bother me, as football tends not to cross my radar until Thanksgiving, but for those torn, or even just looking for a good Chargers blog, I encourage you to visit Rich’s excellent Chargers Confidential.
Otherwise, feel free to hang out with us here at Ducksnorts as we watch what we hope won’t be the Friars’ final game of 2006. Go Padres!
Keep the faith, y’all!
So where is A-Rod going to be traded?
Only way we go after A-Rod is if the Yankees are so ready to get rid of him they pay a chunk of the salary (and, I believe Texas is still on the hook for some of that…does that deal continue it A-Rod leaves the Yankees??). If we were to get him, I would say put him back at SS and let Branyan man third. Trade Khalil.
I like the Sheffield speculation I’ve read around here and elsewhere. Get Sheff, put him in RF and get rid of Giles. His contract isn’t prohibitive or have a no-trade, does it? Keep Doc in LF in that scenario.
Anyways, I’m feeling positive about tonight, despite recent evidence of Carpenter’s prowess. I keep thinking about the game at St. Louis 2 weeks ago. Same pitchers, same park, same time of day…plus, I’m feeling like our hitters won’t have as much of a death-grip on the bats. They’ve hit Carpenter recently, and should have some of their confidence restored by yesterday (batting w/ RISP nothwithstanding).
I’ve got the Gwynn jersey on, I’m in my basement like yesterday, all ready to get it on!
Sitting in a hotel room in Galveston, TX…
Would like to have been in SD watching this game with some friends, but alas, business calls.
From what I hear, Rolen is not playing this game and Speizio is starting at 3b. Don’t know if that is a good thing b/c Rolen has been so bad.
Woody needs to keep the ball in the park. If he does that we have a shot. I am just a bit worried about what we saw last year in his playoff start. Let’s hope that more recent trends take over and he pitches well.
keys
-get the lead early and let Woody deal with the cards hitters agressively, because that worked for chris young.
-I think theere’s more pressure on the Cards to win because if they lose with Carpenter to clinch it, they’ll have to go back knowing they could collapse in a 5 game series.
-stay loose, play ball and bring it back to San Diego.
-take advantage of ANY cardinals mistake
Bard gets the nod cause Piazza would start a game5 I’m guessing.
go Padres.
Okay, would like to repeat a point from yesterday’s discussion: Wouldn’t we be better off to pitch Peavy today? The reason I think that is because he has a higher probability of shutting out the Cards than does Woody. I think Woody will throw just fine and probably only give up 2-3 runs, but will the Pads offense come up with 3-4 runs? I’d love it if they did, but I’d feel more comfortable not relying on it..
I’m feeling pretty good about this game, although I was doubting it earlier. But, the team always responds well when Woody pitches and have ever since he got back from the calf injury. He’s won a lot of big games for us since he got back. Many of them after heartbreaking losses.
I remember his playoff start last year, but he hasn’t looked like the same pitcher this year. I think I remember Barfield saying that they like playing behind Woody, since he goes out and takes control.
I’m looking forward to going to the game tomorrow. Peavy vs. Weaver? I’ll take that if that’s who the Cards throw out there.
Yup , LaMar, the team definitely responds well to Woody being on the mound. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that that trend continues…
Oooh…. Bard in tonight instead of Piazza…. I think I like that move.
Roberts LF
Giles RF
Gonzo 1B
Bard C
Branyan 3B
Cameron CF
Blum SS
Barfield 2B
Williams P
Interesting switch of Branyan and Cameron in the batting order…
Good to see Barfield in the game. He’s been itching to play and I’m betting he does well.
Yeah I’ve thought that Barfield and the fans were eating a pretty big crap-sandwich on the 2nd base situation. Barfield’s excelled there all year, but has only started 1 of 3 games in the postseason?
Lets get this done. IF we can win tonight, we have a HUGE advantage in Game 5.
Tim McCarver drinking game!
12: How do you play?
It must have taken some serious $$ to get F’n Pink to do a cover of “I hate myself for loving you” to the tune of “because The NFL rocks on NBC”…
looked like a good pitch to Roberts…
Giles with the “seeing eye grounder”…. NICE!
Ok everyone make sure you have batteries in the remote….the Padres are going to win tonight..
Okay, I know that we’re all pulling double duty with the Chargers game… but… um… I’m pretty much blogging with myself… I mean, this is pretty weak…
You know what makes me laugh….every time i change the channel to the Padres game, my Directv channel guide says Tigers/Yankees is supposed to be on Fox right now…
19: pretty funny.. Also, nice to see we’re getting some balls to drop in already this evening..
Load em up Carpenter…..NICE!
Falling in love with the curve ball early. C’mon, Branyan, make him pay.
Branyan is a nice guy to have up in this spot…
I’m watching here…c’mon Russell!
Full count…c’mon, Muscles..
Early lead!
bases loaded walk??!?!? NICE!!!!!!!!
Now that’s some kind of nice…
Okay, they have it in their heads he’s not invincible. Time to turn the screws.
There we go – that’s why RB was a good guy to have up – almost no chance of a DP, he either Walks, K’s or hits a bomb..
C’mon Cammy, let’s cash in!!
the boys are laying off the curve…
Let me just say as someone who isn’t even a Charger fan….those powder blue unis are the sweetest in all of sports…
Wow – first time since ’01 Carpenter has walked in a run…
Yahooooooooooo! Priase be! A first inning run! And a lead!
Whew, nice hustle by Cameron.
speed come to the ballpark EVERY day!
Cameron makes up for a bad swing with some sweet hustle!!
Nice hustle by Cameron…2-0 good guys..
CC gets (I believe) his first curveball strike to Blum there…
Ugh… tough break for the Chargers – interception wrestled away from Eric Parker…
I’m DVR’ing the Bolts…it’s a big game and all, but these are the playoffs baby!
let me just say..i’m not opposed to Cameron trying to steal here…
Ask and ye shall receive Mark
Rich – does that suggest that Charger’s updates need to be witheld? Or, are you keeping up with the score??
I’m not opposed to Blum hitting it out..
Wow – Carpenter not in good control so far. Thought we were in trouble when Doc K’d…
I’m not going to stress it, Marsh… I’ll watch the game later but don’t expect to get away spoiler free….
30 pitches from Carpenter already….
We need to put this guy away right here….1 big 2 out hit would be HUGE right here…
C’mon, Josh. You’re in there, now do something.