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!
67 pitches for Carpenter…. Let’s see if Woody can work the count…
damnit!
148 – you mean like that?
In hindsight, getting to Carpenter early would’ve been a better plan. Oh, wait; that wasn’t hindsight…
well at least the patient part of the lineup will come up in the 5th.
Also, if Belliard plays that deep v. Roberts, why doesn’t he drag a bunt at that right side because they’re asking for it then.
I agree with most of you guys, this has been a woody williams tightrope act, let’s see him keep it up or get the hook for Hensley.
155: I can’t imagine he’ll play that deep on Doc, but if he does and Doc doesn’t drop on down, then we’ve got some bigger problems..
Interviewing Balsley again instead of Bochy. Seriously, I think they just broke too many headsets trying to make them fit Bochy’s enormous cranium….it’s like an orange on a toothpick!
I guess the Cardinals just show us how hack-o-matic is really done. Thank you very much.
By the way, I love that my TV thinks I’m watching a movie co-starring The Rock and Sean Williams Scott… Good thing I removed the “parental dork controls” off my TV….
Hey, however they can get themselves out is fine by me. Like I said, I’m not concerned w/ Woody’s pitch count really.
We need to bust thing open right now. Tight games against Pujols make me very nervous..
what’s the point of Doc squaring so early there?
Leadoff runner on – let’s get a run here.
Giles *has* to work the count…
OK, Brian. DO NOT WEAKLY GROUND TO 2ND!!!
wow, thought he was safe.
Nice throw, nice tag. Giles needs to do something other than hit a weak ground ball for once in this series.
They are right…it took a perfect throw. Worth the chance…
Okay, I guess technically that is not hitting a weak ground ball. Sigh.
Molina looking awfully pleased with himself…as well he should, that was a heckuva throw (and still barely got him).
Thanks for nothing, Giles.
Giles, standing there in disbelief like the barber who just heard his requested haircut style….
Not to give anything away, but make quick flip to the Bolts game for the replay…
Rich… definitely not talking about the Chargers…. definitely not talking about the chargers…..
Roberts risk was worth it, Molina made the perfect throw and Eckstein made the perfect tag. Giles has been doing alright, and the Cards look impatient as it seems Woody is challenging some hitters.
OK, Wilson is a big batter here…has hit it hard, but to get him out means Pujols leads off the 6th..
Lets gets some runs!!!
WW… finding a groove??
It’s always calmest before the storm…I would still keep Clay H loose..
New working theory: Both teams got bored after that first inning and now they’re trying to finish the game as quickly as possible.
177: we’re out of Clay territory… now we’re in Cla territory…
Woody has done a great job of settling down…too bad the same can be said about CC….
You guys are just killing me! No!!!!! I will resist the temptation. I pas the test.
I will remain on the Padre game and watch the Bolts on DVR…
Way to go Bard!
OK, another leadoff batter on…let’s make it count
Rich, I’ll just say it involves Malcolm Floyd and ~ 6 feet of air
just for you Rich….I’m keeping my mouth shut about the Charger game…
Whew that was close…
I’ve learned to watch the runners face on replays…Roberts thought he had the bag, but was not mad at the ump…just shocked at being thrown out with that jump.
rewound… there were 5 seconds of hang time on Branyan’s foul…
oooooooooooooooooooh…Branyan almost with another triple!
I’m surprised the lefties haven’t noticed how much inside Carpenter has been pounding them inside but he’s also missed inside which has worked out a little.
OK, here’s where we need Kzone…looked good, but not by much!
Rich, I tried posting over at your Charger blog, but threw it over after one try, since it was impossible to do PIP and keep up on two blogs simultaneously. It was technology overload.
LaMar – you’ve got to work harder my man
88 pitches for Carpenter….Come on MC – work the count!!!
I appreciate the effort LaMar!
Just for the record, I’d say Carpenter is getting squeezed a bit too… (for the Cardinal fans coming by afterwards)…
We need to get to their pen.
96 mph? Is CC really hitting that or is the gun juiced?
195: Were you born in Russia? Some other communist state?
MVN does not have a great set up for the kind of IGD we do here…it takes too long to update…
That was way up, Mike….
Big inning coming here…