The San Diego Padres lost a valuable chance to move up in the wild card, so they'll turn to Robbie Ray tonight.
The San Diego Padres finally stumbled last night as their eight-game winning streak was snapped, and they’ll try to right the ship and win the third game of their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies tonight.
It’s tough to overstate the importance of these games for the Padres right now. Last night’s loss was probably inevitable, especially given how often manager Craig Stammen has been going to the well with his overworked bullpen.
But the loss cost the Padres a chance to move up in the wild card standings and tie the Philadelphia Phillies for the second wild card spot, as the lowly Washington Nationals rose up and beat the Phillies. The Chicago Cubs also lost, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but at least the Arizona loss kept the Padres lead at 2.5 games as they continue to cling to the third wild card.
The Padres will send Robbie Ray to the mound against Colorado, and getting a turnaround start from him is essential. Ray was strong initially after San Diego acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the deadline, but his last two starts have been disasters.
He gave up five runs in five innings against his old team last Friday, although the Padres managed to hang on to get a 7-5 win. Ray also surrendered five runs against the New York Yankees in the start before that, and that one resulted in a Padres loss.
The key stat to watch with Ray is his walk total. It’s been four each in those last two starts, and in a way that’s the magic number for him. Ray has been among the league leaders in walks for the entire season, but before this last starts he had three or less, and it’s no coincidence that he gave up a combined four runs in his three starts before those last two.
His mound opponent will be Mason Adams, who’s been excellent recently for the Rockies. He’s given up three runs or less in his last four starts, with two of those resulting in Colorado wins. The Rockies acquired him at the deadline from the Chicago White Sox in the deadline deal that sent Brenton Doyle to the Pale Hose, and he’s a prospect the Rockies are hoping to develop.
The Padres schedule lull is about to come to a close, with two more games against Colorado before they head home to face the Miami Marlins. Coming home with a cushion is essential, as the Padres face the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks in their final six games to close out the regular season.
