first pitch: 5:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (6-11, 5.01 ERA) vs Wes Obermueller (1-2, 4.62 ERA)
preview: Padres.com

Pads got plastered by the Brewers Friday night. Silver linings? A few. Ben Johnson homered in his third straight game. Chris Oxspring made his big-league debut. Even though he gave up 6 runs, he did work 5 1/3 innings out of the ‘pen, saving the relief corps.

Sure, the Pads have been outscored, 17-8, in the first two games of the series at Milwaukee. But they’ve split those games and that’s all that counts. Also, and this can be our little secret, the NL West still stinks. The Dodgers and Snakes both lost again, so the Friars maintain a 6 game lead with 28 to play.

Saturday night Woody Williams tries to right the proverbial ship. Some disturbing trends for Williams: 3.92 ERA at home, 7.11 on the road; 4.10 ERA pre-ASB, 6.44 post-ASB. The beginning of the end, or just a slump? Current Brewers have hit Williams well (.377/.414/.534 in 146 AB).

Obermueller? Pretty generic right-hander. Not many Padres have faced him. Expect some runs on both sides of this one.

Well, I’m on my way to Stockton with Jeff from Syntax of Things for our abbreviated Cal League tour. Or maybe I’m already there, hanging out at the new ballpark to watch the Ports finish up their season against the Modesto Nuts.

Tomorrow, my wife has the keys. Be nice. Go Pads!