Igoe4Mariners
05-21-2010, 04:52 AM
Seattle (15-26) will look to carry the momentum of a great ninth inning comeback against the Blue Jays in which Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a walk-off single down the left field line. The Mariners broke their five game losing streak with the comeback and finally got to be on the other end of a walk-off win. They await their interleague rivals, the San Diego Padres (24-17), who have surprised many people this year with their good start to the early season.
The Padres have a very young team that has rounded into form nicely in the 2010 season so far. They are led on offense by the great Adrian Gonzalez who was expected to get traded at the deadline to a contending team, but with the way the Padres are playing now, that might not happen. The pitching staff has really done extremely well despite the fact that they don't really have a top-end starter. This is just the first of two series the Mariners and Padres will play this season with Seattle going back to San Diego in June for a return three-game set.
Pitching Matchups:
Wade LeBlanc, LHP (2-1, 1.54) vs. Cliff Lee, LHP (1-2, 2.08)
Clayton Richard, LHP (3-2, 2.94) vs. Ian Snell, RHP (0-2, 4.76)
Mat Latos, RHP (3-3, 3.28) vs. Felix Hernandez, RHP (2-3, 3.95)
I expect us to ride the momentum of a great come from behind victory over Toronto into a series win over the Padres. San Diego has played well thus far, but they are due for a let-down. We can bring them back down to earth with a couple of good games this series. The only thing that is keeping me from predicting a sweep is game two. I just don't think anyone knows how Ian Snell is going to perform at this point. Lets get this season rolling in the right direction with a sweep. :cool:
Also: Feel free to make your prediction in the poll of how the M's will do this series.
The Padres have a very young team that has rounded into form nicely in the 2010 season so far. They are led on offense by the great Adrian Gonzalez who was expected to get traded at the deadline to a contending team, but with the way the Padres are playing now, that might not happen. The pitching staff has really done extremely well despite the fact that they don't really have a top-end starter. This is just the first of two series the Mariners and Padres will play this season with Seattle going back to San Diego in June for a return three-game set.
Pitching Matchups:
Wade LeBlanc, LHP (2-1, 1.54) vs. Cliff Lee, LHP (1-2, 2.08)
Clayton Richard, LHP (3-2, 2.94) vs. Ian Snell, RHP (0-2, 4.76)
Mat Latos, RHP (3-3, 3.28) vs. Felix Hernandez, RHP (2-3, 3.95)
I expect us to ride the momentum of a great come from behind victory over Toronto into a series win over the Padres. San Diego has played well thus far, but they are due for a let-down. We can bring them back down to earth with a couple of good games this series. The only thing that is keeping me from predicting a sweep is game two. I just don't think anyone knows how Ian Snell is going to perform at this point. Lets get this season rolling in the right direction with a sweep. :cool:
Also: Feel free to make your prediction in the poll of how the M's will do this series.