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!