The San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies will begin their second half campaigns against each other , starting this Friday. As a strong favorite, the Phillies are coming in with a 53-42 record while the Padres sit at the bottom of the NL West with a dismal 40-59 tally. Below are previews for their next three match-ups. Will San Diego squeak one out for the win?
Starters: Clayton Richard (7-8, 4.43 ERA) vs. Jake Arrieta (7-6, 3.23 ERA)
Pitching:
In his most recent start, Richard, who is 0-1 with a 5.29 ERA in his last three starts, gave up two earned runs on six hits in six innings of a 5-4 home loss to the Cubs. He will look to recover this time around against the Phillies who will have Arrieta on the mound. Arrieta ended the first half nicely, going 3-0 and accruing a 1.89 ERA in his last three starts.
Hitting:
Aaron Altherr is 2-for-5 vs. Richards.
The Padres’ current lineup is only 3-for-32 vs. Arrieta.
Writer’s Prediction:
Philly wins, 6-3.
Game 2, Saturday, July 21, 7:05PM
Starters: Luis Perdomo (ERA) vs. Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.39 ERA)
Pitching:
The Phillies have gone win winless in Perdomo’s last five starts, which includes the Padres’ 11-6 loss to the Cubs at home on July 14. Against the Cubs, Perdomo yielded five earned runs on seven hits in only 4.1 innings. He is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three road starts, though. Velasquez is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his past five starts and is only 3-5 with a 6.16 ERA in 10 home starts this year.
Hitting:
Only Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers are the Padres’ hitters who have faced Velasquez before, and they have combined for a 1-for-7 batting line against the Philly’s righty.
Odubel Herrera finished the first half with a .275 batting average.
Writer’s Prediction:
Philly wins, 5-4.
Game 3, Sunday, July 22, 1:35PM
Starters: Tyson Ross (5-8, 4.32 ERA) vs. Nick Pivetta (6-7, 4.58ERA)
Pitching:
Ross will look to get his first and only win this month as he takes on the Phillies this Saturday. He is 0-3 with a dizzying 11.48 ERA in three starts (13.1 innings) this month. Pivetta hasn’t been that bad of late. In fact, he is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in his last three starts.
Hitting:
Odubel Herrera is 2-for-3 vs. Ross.
Wil Myers is 3-for-4 vs. Pivetta.
Writer’s Prediction:
Philadelphia wins, 4-3.
Writer’s Overall Series Prediction
The Phillies extend their lead in the NL East by sweeping San Diego and sending the Padres back to Cali.
