Brewers at Padres
The San Diego Padres’ youth movement takes another step forward Friday, with 24-year-old left-hander Joey Lucchesi set to make his major-league debut against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The teams needed extra innings to decide Thursday’s season opener, as Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the 12th proved to be the difference in the Brewers’ 2-1 victory.
Lucchesi is taking the spot of expected starter Dinelson Lamet, who will miss at least a month with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The Padres haven’t reached the postseason since winning the National League West in 2006 but boast one of the top farm systems in the baseball with Lucchesi part of a group that includes top prospects such as shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr., outfielder Franchy Cordero and infielder Luis Urias along with pitchers Cal Quantrill and MacKenzie Gore. While San Diego is pointing toward the future, Milwaukee has added outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in an effort to capture the NL Central crown after finishing second last season. Cain went 3-for-5 with a stolen base while hitting leadoff in the opener while Yelich batted second and was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (2017: 13-10, 3.89 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (MLB Debut)
Chacin signed a two-year contract with Milwaukee after working 180 1/3 innings over 32 starts for San Diego last season. The 30-year-old Venezuelan should feel right at home at Petco Park, where he posted a 1.79 ERA in 16 starts last year compared to a 6.53 mark in 16 turns everywhere else. Chacin recorded a 1.84 ERA over five appearances this spring and has gone 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 career games (10 starts) against the Padres.
Lucchesi recorded a 2.20 ERA in 139 innings between Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio last season and earned Friday’s turn after posting a 1.54 ERA in four spring starts. “His stuff plays. There's a real deception to it. It's tough to pick up,” Padres manager Andy Green told reporters. “It's a real three-pitch mix that’s going to play well at the big-league level.” A fourth-round selection in the 2016 draft, Lucchesi possesses an impressive curve and change-up along with a mid-90s fastball.
WALK-OFFS
1. Green said Padres RHP Luis Perdomo will start Saturday’s series finale while LHP Bryan Mitchell will get the nod Monday against Colorado.
2. After struggling in spring training, Brewers RHP Jacob Barnes earned the save Thursday by striking out the side in the 12th inning.
3. The Brewers purchased the contract of 1B Ji-Man Choi from Triple-A Colorado Springs prior to Thursday’s game.