first pitch: 12:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Jake Peavy (7-12, 4.35 ERA) vs Aaron Cook (8-12, 4.05 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
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Padres go for the series win at Coors Field Sunday afternoon behind their hottest pitcher, Jake Peavy. If he isn’t quite “vintage Peavy,” he’s getting pretty darned close. Peavy has gone 7 innings in five of his past six starts. His numbers during that stretch: 40.1 IP, 27 H, 3 HR, 14 BB, 41 SO, 2.01 ERA. Yeah, that’s more like it.
On the other side, Aaron Cook’s ERA continues to hover around 4.00 despite striking out just 3.58 batters per 9 innings and calling Coors Field home. (Amazing aside: Cook hasn’t allowed a road homer in 320 at-bats this year.) The key for Cook, as always, is serving up grounders. Among National League pitchers, only Brandon Webb and Derek Lowe have higher GB/FB ratios than Cook’s 3.07. Cook also has some pretty severe lefty/right splits, with the former hitting him to the tune of .323/.376/.486 and the latter at a paltry .263/.299/.334.
Russell Branyan, whose acquisition from the Devil Rays we chronicled on Friday, makes his Padres debut today. He was in the on-deck circle Saturday night in the eighth inning but Manny Alexander’s fly ball landed in Matt Holliday’s glove at the left field wall, keeping Branyan on the bench. He’ll be at the hot corner this afternoon, with Todd Walker shifting over to second base, as manager Bruce Bochy stacks the lineup with lefties against Cook.
Go Padres!
If they can take the same general approach against Cook as they had against Jennings – a. don’t try to pull the sinker, drive it up the middle and/or away; b. make him throw strikes, get the sinker up – they should have some success.
Man, the Rockies have had some starters with some excellent season and recent numbers going this series. As if it isn’t tough enough for the Padres to beat the Rockies. . .
Branyan is 3 for 4 against Cook. Bochy playing the matchups
what are Peavy’s career #s at Coors? If he’s “vintage” Peavy, is that a good or a bad thing today?
Good question. Peavy @ Coors: 5 GS, 34.1 IP, 35 H, 4 HR, 12 BB, 22 SO, 3.15 ERA.
That Joe Table is 12th on the All Time Saves list says as much about what an overrated stat the Save is than any argument (and I’ve seen some eloquent and logical ones) I’ve read on the issue.
Yes, he’s had a long career, but he’s only been primarily a “closer” in half of his 18 seasons. His WHIP is frequently horrible, rarely good, and only once great. His ERA+ is terrbile as well with only 3 dominant seasons out of 18 and half below average (career 101, essentially average).
anyone else noticing that as the season goes on, the Padres games are on less and less on the extra innings package?
Yeah, I just counted and of the 32 remaining games, 14 are not on Extra Innings. Even though I’ve already bought EI and Gameday Audio, I’m thinking about dropping the $30 on MLB.TV as LynchMob described in yesterday’s comments.
mlb.tv might be worth the money…how’s the picture and everything on it…
Well that was kinda disappointing, Russ “TTO” Branyan grounds out, and on the first pitch no less. I was hoping for a mammoth 13 pitch AB and then an even more mammoth 475 foot blast. Oh well.
Yikes, more Adventures At Third.
I’m guessing that was quite the bullet to dodge by the Padres there in that inning…
ok..i’m an idiot…I didn’t think Colorado scored in that inning…see what happens when you can’t watch the game..
Bases loaded, nobody out in the third. Jake is at 70 pitches. This isn’t what we planned.
Sullivan burns us again. Sweeney is getting ready.
did anyone else notice that the padres dont have a 4th OF now that the optioned Johnson to AAA?
Also I heard on 1090 on fri that the pads bullpen was going to camp out in the bullpen at cooers on fri night does any one know if they ended up doing it?
Peavy’s got nothing today.
Steve: Branyan is the fourth outfielder now. Regarding the campout, stadium security nixed it.
Hmm…I feel a Bellhorn double switch coming on…
another great move by KT, is branyan really a better option in the OF then Johnson?
KT had such a great offseason but he has yet to work any magic during the season.
3-0 SF now over the Reds, 2nd inning. Let’s hope Livan can use that 56 mph garbage to shut down the Dodgers.
Radio guys said Peavy has a sinus infection; that couldn’t have helped.
Attaboy, Gilly. Just need three more runs before they get three outs. C’mon, guys!
Oh well. So much for that.
Sledge *again* … http://tinyurl.com/s787p … HR #22 … and Knott with a pair (#s 27 & 28) to send the Beaver fans home from the final game at Portland’s PGE Park this season … 9-7 in 11 … Cassidy with 2 IP for the W (now 3-1) … Ben Johnson 0-for-5 + an error …
Will we ever see Knott, McAnulty, Leone, or Cust on the Pads’ 25-man roster? My guess, especially with the Branyan trade, is the only playing time they will see will be as September call-ups or emergency starters when someone goes down.
Sledge may make it as a 4th outfielder, but will have to fight for time with BJohnson. I guess if the Pads are planning on making BJohnson their regular right fielder, Barfield becomes the leadoff hitter. Hmmm. I could go for that if we go out and get a stud 3rd baseman to solidify the lineup— looking like Ensberg will be available next year — but, if we don’t, hard to envision next year’s Pads being much better than this year’s edition.
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