Over the past 2 nights against Arizona, the Well-Liked Padres have faced the following pitchers: Casey Fossum, Scott Service, Brandon Villafuerte (2X), Steve Sparks, Randy Choate, and Mike Koplove. Of these six gentlemen, only one, Villafuerte, has an ERA under 4.63. The Padres scored a grand total of 5 runs. Tomorrow they take on the Unit.
The Padres seem to be turning into last year’s Dodgers. Right now only two SD hitters have OPS over .800, Brian Giles at .822 and Mark Loretta at .831. Before the season it would have inconceivable to think that between them Giles, Phil Nevin, Ryan Klesko and Jay Payton (the Pads 3-6 hitters) would have 24 homeruns combined, but that is the case. The Padres are obviously still freaked out by PETCO Park’s dimensions. At home, only Giles has an OPS over .800, and he’s at .806, barely making the mark. Nevin (.242/ .343 /.387) and Payton (.234/ .305 / .308) have been especially atrocious at home. And another thing, when everyone talks about Sean Burroughs, it’s always mentioned that his power will develop. Well, Sean will be 24 before the season is out, and he’s slugging .370, when is it going to show up?
Kurt over at Arrive in the Third, Leave After Seven thinks the Padres are already done. I don’t think it’s quite that time yet, if only because neither the Dodgers or the Giants look that much better, but things need to turn around quick.
Posted by Frinklin at June 22, 2004 10:39 PMNah, the Padres aren't done yet. Not in that division. It would help to get Peavy back healthy, I think. As for Burroughs, I'd trade him now, before it becomes painfully obvious that he doesn't have Dad's power bat...
Posted by: Mediocre Fred at June 23, 2004 09:20 AMMy comments about the death of the Padres may have been premature, but I still think they finish third, 8-10 games back of the division winner.
As for Burroughs, he's going to be a great #2 hitter, never a power guy but plays a solid third base and will spray the field with the ball. He'll develop into a poor-man's Tony Gwynn.
Posted by: Kurt at June 28, 2004 04:30 PM