In last week’s look at the schedule I stated that the four-game series against the Seattle Mariners would be an important measure of whether they would be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, it looks like they will now be buyers after winning 3 of 4 and closing the gap to the A’s to just 1.5 games. With Houston now 5.5 games ahead of us at the top of the AL West as well, there’s no doubt that we need the team to start getting back on track quickly.
However, that’s not going to be easy with a week on the road.
San Diego (A)
Season series so far: Yet to play.
Gm1. James Kaprielian – Chris Paddack
Gm2. Sean Manaea – Blake Snell.
You really cannot knock the Padres. They’ve worked hard over the past five years to build up an enviable crop of young talent in one of the best farm systems among MLB teams.
That’s allowed them to promote great talent, not least Fernando Tatis Jr., but has also meant that they have had plenty of trade chips to help them add established quality players as and when needed. We saw yet another example of that yesterday when they swung a deal with the Pirates to acquire Adam Frazier.
Add on the fact that they have also spent big on free agent talent and you’ve got an exciting ballclub that is drawing huge crowds to Petco Park. Imagine that: investing in a great team means that lots more people are prepared to pay to come and watch them.
Don’t worry John Fisher, I’m sure that idea will never catch on.
Anyway, the Padres are a tough team to face, but maybe that will bring out the best in BoMel’s boys? They should be two good games, particularly the one on Wednesday that’s available on UK TV and free online via MLB.com. It’s a 9.10pm start here, with a very enticing pitching match-up between Manaea and Snell.
LA Angels (A)
Season series so far: A’s lead 9-3.
Gm1. Frankie Montas – Alex Cobb
Gm2. Chris Bassitt – Patrick Sandoval
Gm3. Cole Irvin – Jaime Barria
Gm4. James Kaprielian – Shohei Ohtani
We’ve had a good time against the Angels so far this season and we need to keep that trend going this coming weekend.
The games on Saturday and Sunday are early contests, so perfect evening-time viewing here in the UK. It’s scheduled to be a Shohei Sunday as well with the Japanese star due to be on the mound. Cole Irvin got the better of him last time out and hopefully James Kaprielian can do the same.