Monday April 13, 2009
First Place Padres.
I like the sound of that so much that I may keep saying it over and over again until my head hits the pillow tonight.
Or chant it like a mantra until I reach nirvana.
I know that I have been arguing that:
A - This Padre team was not as bad as the pundits and most fans thought they were.
B - That their offensive production in 2008 was actually the best in the NL West when you adjust it for playing in Petco Park.
and
C - That the bullpen that KT has cobbled together seemingly with spit and chewing gum in the last 3 weeks of spring training was going to be much better than most people expected.
But even I never expected a spunky, firey, fight from behind Padres team that would be in FIRST PLACE with a 6-2 record and have the pitching staff with the lowest ERA in baseball and a bullpen era under 1.50 after 8 games.
After tonight's game;
After the little thought of Padres strode into New York city and Jody Gerut christened Citi (some call it Shitti or Bailout) Field with a home run;
After the Padres spoiled the Mets home opener in their brand new, $850 million ballpark with a gritty 6-5 team win to improve their record to 6-2,
I have drunk deeply of the Kool-aid and I am not sure I want to stop believing they can play like this all season.
So bear with me if I revel in it for a while.
First Place Padres, First Place Padres, First Place Padres...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter! What did the bunny leave in your egg?
Sunday April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
The Easter Bunny delivered the San Diego Padres a Right Handed SP/RP in former A and Cub Chad Gaudin.
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres signed Gaudin to a minor league yesterday.
The 26 year old Gaudin had a 3.59 era in 26 appearances (6 starts) for the A's and a 6.26 era in 24 appearances for the Cubs after being traded in early July last season as part of the deal for Rich Harden. Overall Gaudin was 9-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 50 appearances in 2008.
In 2007 he made 34 starts for the A's and had an 11-13 record and a 4.42 era over 199.1 innings.
Since he was used only as a reliever last season and in spring training by the Cubs, Gaudin would have to begin in the pen or spend time in the minors to build up his arm strength to start for the Padres in 2009.
Expect to see him join AAA Portland until the Padres have an injury or see ineffectiveness in the pitching staff. So far there is no spot for him on staff that is already overmanned with few pitchers having options.
Happy Easter!
The Easter Bunny delivered the San Diego Padres a Right Handed SP/RP in former A and Cub Chad Gaudin.
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres signed Gaudin to a minor league yesterday.
The 26 year old Gaudin had a 3.59 era in 26 appearances (6 starts) for the A's and a 6.26 era in 24 appearances for the Cubs after being traded in early July last season as part of the deal for Rich Harden. Overall Gaudin was 9-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 50 appearances in 2008.
In 2007 he made 34 starts for the A's and had an 11-13 record and a 4.42 era over 199.1 innings.
Since he was used only as a reliever last season and in spring training by the Cubs, Gaudin would have to begin in the pen or spend time in the minors to build up his arm strength to start for the Padres in 2009.
Expect to see him join AAA Portland until the Padres have an injury or see ineffectiveness in the pitching staff. So far there is no spot for him on staff that is already overmanned with few pitchers having options.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Padres are the Come Back Kids in 2009
Friday April 10, 2009
Four games are in the books in 2009 and the San Diego Padres have won 2. All wins are great and they are even better when they are against the hated Los Angeles Dodgers.
In both of the wins by the Padres they have come from behind to score 3 runs late in the game.
On Tuesday the Padres scored 3 runs in the 6th inning against Dodgers starter Randy Wolf and reliever Guillermo Mota and the Padres bullpen shut down the Dodgers in the 7th, 8th and 9th for the first win of the season - 4-2.
On Thursday the Padres came back from a 3-1 deficit with a 3 run 8th inning that was led by Adrian Gonzalez first home run of the season, a solo shot to deep left field. Heath Bell then came in and got his second save of the young season - 4-3.
Two wins; two late inning, 3 run come backs.
You have got to love the resilience and never say die attitude of the Padres players. Especially against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the consensus favorites to win the NL West.
How excited would you be as a fan if the Padres continued to play .500 baseball all season?
Remember when it seemed the entire world was saying the Padres bullpen was in tatters and going to be a major weakness?
Well, through 4 games 6 of the 7 relievers have combined for 9.2 IP, 5 hits and no runs.
The other reliever, Ed Mujica, has given up 5 hits and 3 runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
Overall the Padres bullpen has combined for 12 innings, 10 hits, and 3 runs allowed for a 2.25 ERA and 2 saves.
This team is certainly not as bad so far as it was predicted to be by many.
Winning teams find ways to come back and win. Lets hope the Padres continue to be the come back kids.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
Four games are in the books in 2009 and the San Diego Padres have won 2. All wins are great and they are even better when they are against the hated Los Angeles Dodgers.
In both of the wins by the Padres they have come from behind to score 3 runs late in the game.
On Tuesday the Padres scored 3 runs in the 6th inning against Dodgers starter Randy Wolf and reliever Guillermo Mota and the Padres bullpen shut down the Dodgers in the 7th, 8th and 9th for the first win of the season - 4-2.
On Thursday the Padres came back from a 3-1 deficit with a 3 run 8th inning that was led by Adrian Gonzalez first home run of the season, a solo shot to deep left field. Heath Bell then came in and got his second save of the young season - 4-3.
Two wins; two late inning, 3 run come backs.
You have got to love the resilience and never say die attitude of the Padres players. Especially against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the consensus favorites to win the NL West.
How excited would you be as a fan if the Padres continued to play .500 baseball all season?
Remember when it seemed the entire world was saying the Padres bullpen was in tatters and going to be a major weakness?
Well, through 4 games 6 of the 7 relievers have combined for 9.2 IP, 5 hits and no runs.
The other reliever, Ed Mujica, has given up 5 hits and 3 runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
Overall the Padres bullpen has combined for 12 innings, 10 hits, and 3 runs allowed for a 2.25 ERA and 2 saves.
This team is certainly not as bad so far as it was predicted to be by many.
Winning teams find ways to come back and win. Lets hope the Padres continue to be the come back kids.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
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