The Padres started the season true to form with a home series loss to the Dodgers. We know this team can pitch but the same questions remain on offense as they scored just six runs in the series.<\/p>\n
San Diego Padres (1-2) vs Miami Marlins (3-1)
\nFriday April 4
\nMarlins Park – Miami, FL
\n7:10PM
\nProbable Starters:
\nSD: Eric Stults (L)
\nMIA: Tom Koehler (R)
\nMoneyline: San Diego -105, Miami -105
\nO\/U: 7.5<\/strong>
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San Diego<\/h3>\n
They wouldn\u2019t have even got that many is Seth Smith hadn\u2019t come out of nowhere and smacked a couple of homers. This team\u2019s margin for error is so slim unless a couple more unsung offensive stars emerge.<\/p>\n
Chase Headley wants a big contract but he is not going to get it unless he gets more than a hit per series.<\/p>\n
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San Diego has a lot of pitcher who are pretty good that most just don\u2019t know about. Last year Eric Stults made 33 starts with a respected ERA of 3.93 over 203 innings.<\/p>\n
He might be a little too hittable but he rarely walks anyone and does a pretty good job keeping the ball in the park.<\/p>\n
Miami has a limited lineup and Marlins park is pretty pitchers friendly so it won\u2019t feel all that different than being at home. Except for the Calypso music.
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Break up Los Marlins. After their opening series against Colorado they are sitting near the top of the NL East standing with just a single one run loss keeping them from perfection. The most encouraging sign so far is the offensive production they are getting, averaging almost 7 runs per game.<\/p>\n
It helped facing a limited Rockies staff but this lineup has potential. Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna are off to a good start and retread 3B Casey McGehee is leading the club and Majors with 8 RBI thus far.<\/p>\n
Tom Koehler is not much of a prospect. He was 5-10 last year and in reality is just warming a spot until a more promising pitcher can fill the end of the Marlins rotation.<\/p>\n
That might seem harsh but it is true. Also true is that the Marlins bullpen has been superb in the early going this season.<\/p>\n
Only one reliever has given up a run thus far and if they can back him up maybe even Koehler can get a win Friday.<\/p>\n
If it were a team other than SD coming to town I might have thought the Marlins hot streak would be over but I think they can keep it going through the weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n
Koehler will get picked up by the bullpen and the sticks will keep swinging on the way to a series opening victory. Who would have thought the Marlins would start like this.<\/p>\n