Quote from ultratvfan on August 21, 2024, 9:57 pm

The Dodgers are winning big and it looks like the Padres are going to drop to 4 games back and in a second place tie with the Dbacks. The Dodgers will be playing the Rays next and the Dbacks will be playing the Red Sox.

Quote from Stergios on August 22, 2024, 7:33 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 21, 2024, 7:36 pm

Vasquez pitched today and not very well, giving up 4 runs, 6 hits (including a HR), and 2 walks in 4 innings including a WP, balk and hit batter.  If he comes up, it won't be until the Padres are on the road in either St. Louis or Tampa Bay.

My preferences are that LHP Omar Cruz and either LHP Cosgrove or RHP Gillaspie be brought up; RHP Brito cannot be brought up until 8/25 so I didn't have him listed among my choices now.  Waldron needs to find himself, whether it is on the IL or down in the minors but something radical has changed in this last 6-7 starts.  Cruz could be a SP bridge to Vasquez or if he performs well, stay awhile in the rotation.

Reynolds threw 47 pitches today, so he could be shuttled down and either Cosgrove or Gillaspie, who both have done well when in the majors lately, brought up to give the other RP's a break; RHP Jacob had also done very well at the major league level but has been less effective recently at EP so it really depends on whether a RHP or LHP is needed more.

 

I’m just not sure how much stock to put in AAA stats though.  Our pitchers seem to pitch better in the majors than in El Paso.

Quote from fenn68 on August 22, 2024, 9:21 am

Post All-star game (7 starts) Waldron has an 8.00 ERA built on more than just yesterday. His last 5 starts he gave up 10-7-5-1-5 earned runs averaging about 5 innings per start. So, the standard to get an improvement from Vasquez or Cruz is pretty achievable.

The El Paso staff has to make the call on what they see in Vasquez and Cruz stuff-wise right now … but in Vasquez’ stint with the Padres he had an ERA under 5.00. Cruz is just a question mark at the ML level.

At this point in the season and in the midst of a tight playoff race … maybe have to take the gamble on a change given Waldron’s problems and few (if any) clear alternatives.

Given the long run of games coming up … can’t really afford bullpen games (or early exits) lest they kill the arms in the pen … so need a starter who potentially can give them length consistently.

Quote from Alex Tamayo on August 22, 2024, 9:56 am

Where Is David Wells when you need one? 🥺

Quote from brent wolff on August 22, 2024, 11:07 am

Most likely we will see Vazquez back up and Waldron possibly to the IL.  I wouldn't mind seeing what Cruz could do at the major league level, but in such a tight pennant race, I doubt the Pads will gamble on his unknown abiblity in the majors.  I sure wish Yu would come back, but I understand he has a difficult family situation that takes priority.  A change has to be made in Waldron's rotation spot, unfortunately, because I like Wally, he shows no emotion on the mound whether is going great or terrible.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 22, 2024, 12:39 pm

Another alternative might be to put Waldron back in the long relief role, building him back up 2 innings at a time.  He could flip with Hoeing or Vasquez if Padres don't want to bring up Omar Cruz.  Still want another RP to take Reynolds place for a fresh arm out of the pen

Quote from fenn68 on August 22, 2024, 4:24 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on August 22, 2024, 12:39 pm

Another alternative might be to put Waldron back in the long relief role, building him back up 2 innings at a time.  He could flip with Hoeing or Vasquez if Padres don't want to bring up Omar Cruz.  Still want another RP to take Reynolds place for a fresh arm out of the pen

My concern with Waldron in the pen is that he has the most issues in his first inning … not what you want to see in a RP.