San Diego. It’s a fact, it’s the strangest baseball city known to man–to paraphrase Ron Burgundy. But really, why do the Giants always have such a frustrating, annoying, difficult time with the Padres? Is it the big pet store of a baseball stadium? The constant rebuild season after season for the last seven years? Or maybe its that it feels like Giants play them 45 times a year. Can’t put your finger on it? Me neither. The Giants start a three game series at Petco Park on Friday and there’s reason to believe the Padres will be a headache.
Recent Numbers
The Giants actually dominated the Padres in 2016 going 9-0 against them in the first half of the season. The historic second half stumble was kicked off by a three game sweep to the Friars that included the infamous Santiago Casilla ‘balk-off.’ The Giants went 11-8 against the Pads in 2016 but stumbled in the second half for a 2-8 record over their last 10.
2014 and 2015 were similar seasons against San Diego as the Giants went 11-8 and 9-10, respectively. However they didn’t fare as well down at Petco going 7-11 with the Padres walking off 3 different times.
Who are these guys?
Almost every season the Padres are full of young guys they’re hoping will pan out, young guys that haven’t really panned out, and a few veterans looking for their next contract. You know the guys I’m talking about, guys like Scott Hairston or Alexi Amarista or Odrisamer Despaigne. None of those guys are even Padres anymore but you get the picture.
So who are the guys you should be watching out for this season? Travis Jankowski, for one. Jankowski was drafted by the Padres in the first round of the 2012 draft. He was on the big league roster last year and even swiped 30 bases. He’s a speedy outfielder that isn’t expected to hit for great average but his speed and defense seem to be exactly the kind of guy who could be a thorn in the Giants side.
Manuel Margot was a September call up last season but he’s here to stay in 2017. He was ranked as the Padres #2 prospect by Baseball America and he lived up to the hype. He too is a speedy outfielder with a cannon of an arm, proved true by his 14 outfield assists in triple A last season. Margot, 22, is expected to be a dangerous top of the order player having stolen at least 30 bases in each of his five professional seasons.
The Matchups:
Friday: Matt Cain will face another righty, Luis Perdomo. Perdomo is entering his second big league season but his first as a starter. He’s made just two career starts against the Giants, the last one coming in September when he threw 6 1/3 innings in a winning effort.
Saturday: Bumgarner will make his second start against Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin is looking for a better outing than his brief 3 1/3 innings pitched on Opening Day against the Dodgers.
Sunday: Johnny Cueto will face lefty Clayton Richard. Expect the Giants to stack right handed hitters against Richard after he dominated the Dodgers lefty heavy lineup earlier this week.
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