In the midst of a critical National League West series, the San Diego Padres are set to face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field this Saturday night. This preview focuses on the matchup ahead of the series opener on Friday. The Padres currently rank second in the NL West with a record of 91-68, while veteran left-hander Martin Perez will take the mound for them. The Diamondbacks, holding third place with an 88-71 record, will counter with seasoned right-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.
Padres Aiming for Wild Card Dominance
The San Diego Padres find themselves regrouping after a tough 7-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Their lineup managed to produce an 8-for-32 game with two walks and two strikeouts. Although they secured two extra-base hits, the team struggled in clutch situations, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and leaving seven men on base. Joe Musgrove had a strong outing, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing just two runs without earning the decision.
Martin Perez, the veteran southpaw, is expected to continue his strong performance, holding a 5-5 record with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over 131.1 innings this season. Despite a .277 batting average against him, Perez recently showcased resilience, earning a win against the Chicago White Sox after allowing one run over 5.1 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts.
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Diamondbacks Eyeing Playoff Aspirations
The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to build momentum following their 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. Their offense thrived, finishing 11-for-32 at the plate with seven walks and eight strikeouts. Pavin Smith’s home run added significant firepower to their attack. While they capitalized on some scoring opportunities, going 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the Diamondbacks still left eight men on base. Zac Gallen was effective, limiting the Giants to one run over six innings to secure the win.
Eduardo Rodriguez will be on the mound for the Diamondbacks, sporting a 3-4 record with a 5.56 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP across 45.1 innings. He has faced challenges, particularly with home runs, having allowed eight this season. Recently, Rodriguez suffered a loss against the San Francisco Giants, lasting just 4.2 innings and yielding five runs on seven hits, along with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Strategic Bets for Padres vs. Diamondbacks
As both teams turn to experienced pitchers, their September performances highlight contrasting trends. Eduardo Rodriguez has struggled, recording a 1-4 record with a 6.00 ERA and a .310 batting average against in 24.0 innings this month across five starts. Conversely, Martin Perez’s recent outings have been impressive, as he boasts a 1-0 record with a 1.08 ERA and a .155 batting average against in 16.2 innings over three starts. The bullpens further reflect these disparities, with San Diego ranking 11th in Major League Baseball with a 3.79 reliever ERA, while Arizona sits at 24th with a 4.41 bullpen ERA. Based on these trends, the San Diego Padres appear to be the favored team to secure a victory in this matchup.
