The San Francisco Giants will travel to Petco Park on Monday to match up with the still afloat San Diego Padres. For the Padres, this will be the first time facing the Giants at home since Opening Weekend. San Diego is hoping for their first playoff appearance since 2006. It has been 12 full seasons since the team last made it to the playoffs. This is the longest playoff drought for the Padres since 1984, and taking the initiative in every home series is huge when pursuing those seemingly elusive playoff spots.
The Padres have a significant chance this week to gain ground in the Wild Card standings, as they have a date with a struggling Giants squad. The Giants have lost 6 out of their last 10 games, not being able to perform well against Colorado last week, dropping that series in Denver. The Padres, however, have won 7 of 10. This compounded with the emotional momentum from the rowdy crowd at Petco Park over the weekend puts the Padres as the favorites in this upcoming 3 game tilt.
Both teams will look to come out of the gates fast. The two squads are very solid in one run games, each boasting records above .650. If it becomes a fast start for either squad, the chances of taking that night’s victory go up exponentially.
Monday, July 1, 7:10 PM
RHP Jeff Samardzjia (4-7, 4.52) vs LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 1.38)
Jeff Samardzjia will return to Petco Park on Monday to face the Padres lineup for a second time this season. In his first start, he pitched five innings giving up no earned runs on 3 hits. The Padres were successful that night getting into the Bullpen and won the game. Samardzjia’s team has lost seven of the last nine games that he has started in. Jeff’s efforts this year have him just below replacement level with a -0.3 pitching WAR. His ballooning 4.52 ERA suggest that his confidence levels are down this year. He is looking to have a repeat performance from his March 31st start on Monday.
Logan Allen has been an exciting call up for the Friars Faithful, and has had an unforgettable journey to the Major Leagues so far. The popular story of John Cena better Allen $1 that he would not make the Major leagues in 2017 made all Padres fans smile on the 18th giving up no earned runs in 7 innings pitched. His second start, on Tuesday against Baltimore, also led to a win, and Allen will be looking for a repeat home performance on Monday. San Francisco is only 9-17 this year when facing left handed pitching, so Allen’s stage is set for a third solid performance Monday night.
Tuesday, July 2, 7:10 PM
RHP Tyler Beede (1-3, 6.45) vs LHP Matt Strahm (3-6, 4.94)
Tyler Beede has a 6.45 ERA in 9 appearances. With a less than stellar WAR of -0.5, he has simply not been good for the Giants this season. His single start against the Padres this year had him out of the game in the fifth inning. He gave up four earned runs, in his home start against the Friars, and ended up holding the loss. His lone win seems like an outlier in Los Angeles giving up one run in just 6 innings. Tyler Beede has only recorded 36 innings this year, so Beede has much to prove heading into the latter half of the season.
Matt Strahm has been one of the hardy men holding down the rotation for the Padres in 2019. While his stats don’t jump out, he has been doing his job getting outs and giving his team chances to win games. He has been above replacement level this year, as well. The Giants have been known to struggle this year against lefties, so the three southpaws going this series will provide as a test for San Francisco. Amazingly, Matt Strahm has given up exactly two home runs in every appearance in his last 6 starts. Strahm had given up only 4 in his first 8 starts, combined. If he wants to make a bigger impact on the team, he will have to find a way to limit the home runs given up.
Wednesday, July 3, 6:10 PM
RHP Shaun Anderson (3-2, 3.86) vs LHP Eric Lauer (5-7, 4.22)
Shaun Anderson, the 24-year-old rookie from the University of Florida, will make his second start of the season against San Diego on Wednesday. Shaun has been solid in his first nine Major League starts, sporting a 3.86 ERA. His first start of the year against San Diego was very solid as he got the win, giving up only 2 runs in 6 innings pitched. He has been a major reliance by the Giants’ pitching staff since getting called up in May. In that time he has already accumulated 51 innings. Anderson’s team has only won 2 of his last 5 starts. The Wednesday matchup could mean who wins the series. Look out for Anderson to get back on track during the 6:10 start.
Eric Lauer’s starts against San Francisco have been night and day. He mowed down the Giants during his home start on Opening Day giving up no runs on 70 pitches in only 6 innings. His second start, a couple weeks later in Oracle Park, resulted in five earned runs given up on four hits and two walks. He has been up and down during his 2019 tenure, but looks to straighten the boat on Wednesday to get the Padres moving in a more positive direction. He will be the third and final left handed starter for the Padres in this series, which matches up well against the Giants. Like Anderson, he has struggled in his recent outings. His team has lost 3 of his last 4 starts. He will certainly look to bounce back on Wednesday.
Players to Watch
There are three Padres players on watch against a struggling San Francisco team. Three infielders have been standout from the last week, and it would be worth keeping an eye on them throughout the series. Manny Machado is hitting .355 with five home runs. His power bat is opening up the scoreboard for the team. Fernando Tatis Jr. is hitting .346 with three home runs and three stolen bases. His five tool aspect that he’s known for has certainly been on display this week. And finally, Eric Hosmer is hitting .387 with two home runs. The Padres’ infield has been on fire as of late.
The Giants player to watch is Evan Longoria, who is only 2 of his last 24 with no extra base hits. He will desperately be trying to get right back on track in this series against the Padres’ lefties.
