The San Diego Padres are inches away from total collapse, digging themselves into an 0-2 hole against the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ll now turn home to a raucous Petco Park crowd with the hopes that they can stave off execution. The postseason allows for some insane turns of fortune. Could the Friars be the next recipient of some luck from the baseball gods?
After Sunday’s loss in Game 2, Padres writer Lincoln Zdunich hosted an AMA (ask me anything) on socials. Here are some highlights from those questions.
Answering Your Questions as Padres Near Disastrous End to Season
Can San Diego’s offense turn their recent slump around?
The Friars went a dismal 5-for-32 with five walks in Game 2. That came following an equally rough 9-for-36 outing against ace Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1. San Diego’s lineup had an incredible showing against the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff. The offense scored 12 runs in two games. They’ve scored just five in two games versus Milwaukee. The Friars will face off against Dustin May in Game 3, a veteran who has pitched well against them all season. If they can boot him out early, it could bring them one step closer to evening the series.
Why was Mason Miller entrusted to get the final six outs over another option? Couldn’t Craig Stammen have gone to another reliever?
Here’s the hard truth. Who else would you want in that situation? The elite closer himself asked for the ball and wanted to record the final six outs. He got through the first three handily before trouble found him in the ninth. Stammen could have taken him out for another option, but who else would you want with the bases loaded? It’s a tough situation that is only made tougher by the fact that the Padres have a capable arm available in the ‘pen. Why David Morgan wasn’t utilized more in the earlier innings so Miller would only need to pitch the ninth is anyone’s guess. It’s tough to say. But no answer will make Sunday’s loss feel any better.
What should San Diego expect from starter Nick Pivetta?
Pivetta toiled through 3 1/3 one-run innings of hard work in the series-clinching win over the Cubs. The recent injured-list returner will be entrusted with granting the Friars a stay of execution. With the off day on Monday, San Diego’s bullpen will get an opportunity to rest before it’s all hands on deck. That gives Pivetta some relief. Despite the bullpen’s struggles in the last two games, they haven’t had much wiggle room to work with. If the offense can give the pitching staff some room, it’ll be a whole different game for the starter.
How early could San Diego see Milwaukee’s ace again?
The Padres outdueled Misiorowski in Game 1, tagging him for two runs in the second inning. The Miz was held to just four innings, needing 88 pitches to get through it. San Diego figured out how to get to him, fouling off as many pitches as they could. It’s been circulated that perhaps Milwaukee could allow their ace to pitch Game 4 on Wednesday. Misiorowski would be doing so on short rest, having pitched four days ago in Saturday’s series opener. It’s highly unlikely, but the only other option for the Brewers is Robert Gasser. His arm is relatively untested and volatile, but with a 2-1 lead, they may go to him to keep their ace in the hole.
How do the Padres move on from here? Is there any hope of turning it back to Milwaukee for Game 5?
It seems bleak, but it’s not nearly so bad. The Brewers announced that Dustin May will start Game 3 for Milwaukee. The veteran right-hander has had the Padres’ number all season long. In three starts versus San Diego, he surrendered only three earned runs across 22 innings. That being said, since joining the Brew Crew, May has posted a 5.65 ERA in 10 starts (36.2 IP). If San Diego can take Game 3 and shift momentum, who knows what might happen for the Padres?
Main Photo: USA TODAY via Retuers Connect
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