Aug 22, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres beginning pitcher Dylan Stop (84) pitches in opposition to the New York Mets throughout the first inning at Petco Park. Obligatory Credit score: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports activities After buying and selling lopsided victories, the Tampa Bay Rays and visiting San Diego Padres will face off within the rubber sport of their three-game collection on Sunday.
San Diego gained the opener, 13-5, on Friday, and Tampa Bay bounced again with an 11-4 victory on Saturday.
And because the Padres look to carry on to a Nationwide League wild-card spot — and even problem the Los Angeles Dodgers for the West division title — they will not enter Sunday’s sport feeling something however assured.
“It is say it is a fairly great spot,” Padres supervisor Mike Shildt stated after Saturday’s loss, assessing his workforce. “Performed a variety of actually good baseball, firing on a variety of cylinders. We’re by no means out of a sport. … We win, we’ll maintain you down, and if we occur to be down, we will discover a method to scratch and claw and get on prime.”
And whereas Saturday’s sport did not end up within the Padres’ favor, they did not quit, their supervisor stated.
“Take a look at that effort within the final 4 innings. That would’ve been an simply been a mail-it-in sport, nevertheless it’s scary that this workforce does nothing however foot on the pedal and gasoline out of the way in which,” Shildt stated. “It was an incredible August, however it will likely be a good higher September.”
That would hinge on San Diego’s pitching.
The Padres (77-61) racked up 23 hits over the primary two video games of the collection in opposition to the Rays. They gained some traction offensively late in Saturday’s loss, however pitching struggles resulted in a deficit that was too massive to beat.
In six of the previous eight video games, San Diego beginning pitchers lasted fewer than six innings on the mound. The Padres hope that right-hander Dylan Stop (12-10, 3.57 ERA) can present a high quality begin on Sunday. Stop gave up 4 earned runs on seven hits and 4 walks, whereas hanging out 4 over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision in a 7-5 win over St. Louis on Tuesday.
Stop is 1-2 throughout 5 profession begins in opposition to the Rays. He has a 5.40 ERA, with 25 strikeouts and 16 walks over 23 1/3 innings.
As for the Rays, they’re hoping to construct off Saturday’s efficiency.
Each participant of their batting order safely reached base a minimum of as soon as. Rookie Junior Caminero belted his first profession dwelling run at Tropicana Subject, and his third up to now eight video games. The 21-year-old shortstop performed in seven video games in 2023 and was known as up on Aug. 13, and he seems to be with the Rays for the lengthy haul.
“He is the No. 1 prospect in baseball for a cause,” teammate Brandon Lowe stated. “The factor that will get me is the plate self-discipline, with how arduous he swings the bat. I believe he is prime 5 or one thing like that, within the league, with bat pace. To have the ability to take these swings as arduous as he can, but additionally not swing at every little thing, he is very refined in his strategy and I believe that is one of many issues that helps him reach these conditions.”
The Rays (67-68) are slated to begin right-hander Ryan Pepiot (7-6, 3.61). Pepiot gave up 5 runs, however solely two earned, in his most up-to-date begin in opposition to the Seattle Mariners on Monday. He struck out six batters and issued one stroll over six innings however was tagged with the 5-1 loss.
Pepiot has two profession appearances in opposition to the Padres — one begin — and is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Over eight innings in opposition to the Padres, Pepiot gave up 4 earned runs on 9 hits, with seven strikeouts and 4 walks.
–Subject Stage Media