Quote from sportwarrior on August 18, 2023, 10:40 am

I gotta say that the Padres were smoking the ball last night without a single shred of luck. I think the 2nd and 3rd were the only innings that Padres hitters didn't crush their batted ball outs. Every other inning featured batted outs that were 95+, with many being 98/100+. Meanwhile, most of the Dbacks outs were sub 90. I feel like this sort of thing has happened quite a bit this year.

Quote from sportwarrior on August 18, 2023, 11:14 am

Quote from sportwarrior on August 18, 2023, 10:40 am

I gotta say that the Padres were smoking the ball last night without a single shred of luck. I think the 2nd and 3rd were the only innings that Padres hitters didn't crush their batted ball outs. Every other inning featured batted outs that were 95+, with many being 98/100+. Meanwhile, most of the Dbacks outs were sub 90. I feel like this sort of thing has happened quite a bit this year.

Aaand just like that, MLB.com posts an article saying the 12 batted ball outs of 95+ last night were the 2nd most in any game this season in the league. Truly brutal luck.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 18, 2023, 3:05 pm

Reports are out that they're going to play a day/night double header tomorrow and cancel the game on Sunday because of the conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Hilary

Quote from fenn68 on August 18, 2023, 3:31 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 18, 2023, 3:05 pm

Reports are out that they're going to play a day/night double header tomorrow and cancel the game on Sunday because of the conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Hilary

Darvish will go as scheduled in the 2nd game (apparently). However a big question on who pitches in the 1st game. Not going to bring back Wacha on 3 days rest just coming off injury. Hill and Avila were used up yesterday. Not sure who is around to eat some innings if it is a bullpen day.

Every game is important ... if Lugo can't go deep and burns some pen tonight that just makes the arms for game #1 even more limited ... if both games eat into the pen then does Darvish have to go near complete in the nightcap? How does Melvin plan in a way to win all three (he will get criticized no matter what)?

Of course AZ has the same problem ... so the Padres offense really, really needs to deliver some runs to create some flexibility with the pen options.

... Don't really see a quality option to call-up for a Game #1 start BUT if tonight goes tough on the pen maybe they need to bite the bullet and make a call-up of ?????????

Quote from fenn68 on August 18, 2023, 6:15 pm

Melvin said he will focus on playing to win today and worry about how to deal with the doubleheader tomorrow.

Also, suggested that the Padres will add a pitcher as the 27th man for the doubleheader ... most likely to take one of the starts. Can't think of anyone other than Waldron ... not even a good surprise candidate.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 18, 2023, 7:07 pm

If we don’t use Martinez tonight I could see him Opening the 1st game.

However,it’s risky to try a bullpen game in game one of two.

Darvish would be the best option for game two though if this happened…..he’s about our only starter(with Joe out) that could possibly go 7+.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 18, 2023, 10:06 pm

Waldron pitched on the 15th, so he would be on short rest. Espinoza is on track, but he's not the most inspiring option. Jose Espada might be a dark horse candidate. He's been pretty good in a multi-inning reliever role. They could pair him with Martinez and try to get 6 or 7 out of them. It could be an interesting choice. There's just not a lot to draw from at the upper levels.

Quote from fenn68 on August 19, 2023, 2:45 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 18, 2023, 10:06 pm

Waldron pitched on the 15th, so he would be on short rest. Espinoza is on track, but he's not the most inspiring option. Jose Espada might be a dark horse candidate. He's been pretty good in a multi-inning reliever role. They could pair him with Martinez and try to get 6 or 7 out of them. It could be an interesting choice. There's just not a lot to draw from at the upper levels.

Yeh, a head scratcher on the better option to call up ... but Waldren only went 2 innings one the 15th (no runs) and is stretched out as a SP so could still give multiple innings plus has had his one ML game in June that was effective. Might give him the edge while being on the 40 man.

Lugo work yesterday was critical giving them the innings (and shut out ball) to basically preserve the core of the pen for today. With no game on Sunday, looks as though the full pen is available today and even Barlow, Suarez, and Hader were not stressed so should be sharp for at least one game.

The perfect set-up would be a 6-7 inning start out of Darvish while the Padres score a tun of runs and the end of the game can be handled as "mop-up". Still as far as I know no call on Darvish in game 1 or game 2.

Quote from fenn68 on August 19, 2023, 3:10 am

Again more praise to Kim both defensively and with the clutch hit. Plus considering he has become a real fan favorite ... his name chanted at every AB ... has to elevate the consideration of giving him that long term extension (FA after next year).

Melvin before the game had great praise on Kim's ability to excel defensively at any position and even suggested Kim would likely make an easy transition to the OF (did not suggest that was a plan/consideration though). Clearly improved offensively every season ... is still in his 20s and is super motivated. He is exactly the type of player Siedler professes to want for continuity on his team.

Sure would like to see Kim at SS (gold glove defense at SS is a good thing) with Bogaerts to 2B (or 1B) where his strong defense (he just does not make errors) will play even with his range witch is not SS level. That should make one of the best current defensive INF even better. No idea how that plays in Bogaert's head or any understanding he has with Preller but with his contract ShOULD be agreeable after 2023.