The San Diego Padres will still be considered the visiting team when they wrap up their 3-game set with the Seattle Mariners in a matinée today at Petco Park. San Diego has not been to the postseason since 2006 but a win today will put an end to that. The Mariners are expected to send the promising rookie, Justin Dunn, to the rubber and he has pitched well. Dunn is 3-1 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP but was yanked in the second inning in his last turn after surrendering 5 walks to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres have their ace, Dinelson Lamet, slated to get the start and he is pitching like the Cy Young candidate that he is. Lamet is 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA and a stingy WHIP of only 0.89. The Padres flamethrower has struck out 11 batters in each of his last 2 starts and is 1-0 in his career against the Mariners with an ERA of 2.25. San Diego’s already potent offense has some more ammo, with the return of Eric Hosmer and Tommy Pham. The Friars are 9-4 in their last 13 meetings with the Mariners and are 7-1 in their last 8 following a loss.
TODAY’S PICK: SAN DIEGO PADRES