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!
Re: 198 Don’t want it to sound like we were whining too much after we win….
Dammit again.
Crucial inning coming up. Luckily Pujols leads off…but he’s still the go ahead run like every batter since the 1st.
Albert with ‘em empty…that is my preferred way to face him of course, but it still scares me to be within single swing range of a Card lead…
Just finished wolfing dinner. Brutal at-bat from Cameron that inning. Very defensive swings 2-0 and 3-1, and chased ball four.
BB could theoretically go to Cla right here…
pujols has been impatient sometimes too, he’s put balls in play that aren’t too great.. as I say that, a fat breaking ball comes over on 2-0
To hell with avg with RISP, what are we hitting with runners on period???
after Liney’s outing yesterday, I suspect Cla is looking at the eighth tonight…
not the worst outcome versus his royal pompousness
make Jimmy roll over for a grounder here…
I dunno, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cla come in if there are a few guys on with no outs.
of course, I could be wrong….
that helps…
Cla is up in the pen now…
Dammit.
#$%*^& &^(%&*###%%$*%^%^&&
DAMMIT!!!
Slow ass pujols scores from first…Giles takes a horriffic angle there
that’s where I don’t get everyone’s fascination with Giles’ Defense.. no arm and unable to make a good route at that ball.. NO WAY Pujols should have been able to go 1st to home on that..
that curve was up, and he get hurt by it. time to go and a double switch
1 batter too late..
it’s unfortunate….Woody didn’t pitch badly in this game.
Cla has to work some more of that magic here…we need to limit the damage.
Got to keep ‘em to one run here. Carpenter is working on short rest, he’s thrown 95 pitches, and their bullpen is about due to cough up some runs. Go get ‘em, Cla.
f’n hell. I assume we’ll be playing with the infield in. no we need a groundball or a strikeout.
Agreed, probably about the best we can hope for from Woody, except for the 1st inning.
or two k’s from Cla
222: I think Carpenter’s actually working on full rest.. at least, that’s what everyone was saying about Peavy.
have to hold this down here. then get the bats going.
219. and it was likely his last batter no matter what…I don’t think he would have faced Belliard again…
…but that was the LAST person I expected to go down the right field line…
Holding them here is key for sure.
Had to make the switch there. Couldn’t afford to have Belliard up with Woody pitching. Cla — get us out of this with just the one.
a walk here wouldn’t be awful, then we could roll a pair.
I’m worried about rust on Cla…prove me wrong!
Okay, that sets up the DP.
Ouch!
$10 says Belliard didn’t even feel that.
I don’t like seeing hitters getting even a piece of Cla’s pitches…makes me nervous
…
On a 1-2 count? Crap, we can’t come back from down two. Can we?
$#%$#!
Well, if we ever gonna hit during this series now seems to be the time.
Bloop and a blast.
Wow.
I dunno, when you’re getting knocked around by the likes of Spiezio and Molina, maybe it’s not your year. I sure hope I’m wrong.
This is what I was worried about – Cla has had some time off, and isn’t as sharp. Dammit.
Here comes the squeeze.
I can’t believe Carpenter is going to bat…watch the bunt.
Horrible choice to go home with that!
I feel the season slipping away…
ouch! right decision…bad throw…
(@&#$%(#@!&%(#@&$@#%!!!!!!
This is not going well.