Marlins at Padres
The San Diego Padres returned from a six-game road trip with losses in three of their last four contests, but a favorable schedule awaits them in their next dozen games. The Padres begin that stretch with nine contests against the three worst teams in the National League, starting with Friday's opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Miami Marlins.
"We're 29-27, just past Memorial Day. It's a long season, long way to go," San Diego manager Andy Green said on the heels of Wednesday's 7-0 setback to the New York Yankees. Eric Hosmer had one of his team's four hits in that contest to improve to 13-for-32 with three homers, nine RBIs and seven runs scored during his eight-game hitting streak. Although Miami occupies the cellar in the National League East, the young club has developed a bit of chemistry after winning nine of its last 13 contests. Garrett Cooper collected two hits for the third time in four games in Thursday's 3-1 setback to San Francisco and has 12 hits in his last 10.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS San Diego, FS Deportes San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (3-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (3-3, 4.25)
Smith fell to 0-2 in his last four outings on Sunday after allowing five runs on as many hits in three innings of a 9-6 setback at Washington. The 27-year-old has received vastly different results away from home this season, as his 4.39 ERA is over 2.5 runs more than his performance in Miami (1.84). Hosmer (3-for-6) has enjoyed individual success against Smith, however the hurler has won both of his starts versus San Diego -- allowing just one run on eight hits in 12 1/3 innings while limiting the club to bat .186 against him.
Lucchesi saw his winless stretch extend to five starts last Friday at Toronto despite allowing just three hits and striking out 11, including six straight at one point. The 25-year-old has permitted three earned runs or fewer in four consecutive starts, although he surrendered multiple homers for the third time in his last seven trips to the mound. Like Smith, Lucchesi has also pitched much better at home (3-2, 2.83 ERA, .221 batting average against) as opposed to on the road (0-1, 6.75 ERA, .272).
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami 2B Neil Walker is considered day-to-day after exiting the sixth inning of Thursday’s game with a right quad strain.
2. San Diego SS Manny Machado, who is batting just .250 at home this season, saw his eight-game hitting streak snapped on Wednesday.
3. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.