Cardinals at Padres
The last two weeks have been a rollercoaster ride for the San Diego Padres, who haven't done much to improve their record despite repeatedly taking advantage of some of the worst pitching staffs in the majors. The Padres figure to get tested a bit more in that regard beginning Friday when they host the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
San Diego began its recent offensive odyssey by splitting four games in Colorado in a series that set a modern-day, major-league record for runs in a four-game series (92) before returning home for a surprising home sweep of Milwaukee. The Padres wasted that effort against the Brewers by getting swept in Pittsburgh but rebounded nicely by beating Baltimore convincingly Tuesday and Wednesday in Manny Machado's return to the city where he began his career. San Diego, which is only 7-5 over the last four series despite averaging 7.5 runs over that stretch, hopes to enjoy the same kind of success this weekend that it did when it took two of three in St. Louis back in early April. The Cardinals dropped the last three games of their 4-5 homestand and could only muster five hits in Wednesday's 2-0 setback against Oakland - the club's third shutout loss in the last 14 contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (5-3, 5.59 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (5-7, 4.32)
Wacha has sandwiched a pair of strong outings around a poor start on June 15 since he rejoined the rotation following a two-game relief stint. The 2013 National League Championship Series MVP earned a victory last Friday, holding the Los Angeles Angels to one run over six innings. Wacha allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven across 5 2/3 frames on April 6 against San Diego but settled for a no-decision after walking a career-high eight.
Lauer was stuck with a hard-luck defeat last Friday in Pittsburgh after permitting two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven innings. Excluding a pair of losses in Colorado in which he surrendered 13 runs in a combined 5 2/3 frames, the Kent State product has posted a 3-2 record and 2.09 ERA in his other seven starts since the beginning of May. Marcell Ozuna is 4-for-5 with two homers versus Lauer, who split a couple of starts against St. Louis as a rookie last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter needs to draw two walks to tie Ted Simmons (624) for 10th place in club history.
2. The Padres are 14-for-36 with runners in scoring position over the last four games.
3. St. Louis 2B Kolten Wong (14) and San Diego OF Manuel Margot (10) are the only players in the majors with at least 10 stolen bases who have yet to be caught stealing.