With 8 games left on the slate, the San Diego Padres are 4 games back of the last Wild Card spot but they are still alive and not going down without a fight. San Diego has won 8 straight and look to remain hot when the Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals play the middle game of their 3-game set tonight at Petco Park. The 67-87 Cardinals are obviously out of the picture. Their skipper, Oli Marmol, stated that he will be looking at some of his young talent in tonight’s game. Also, the Cards will be without All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado and catcher Willson Contreras which is good for the Friars. Tonight’s expected starters are Nick Martinez for the Pads and Jake Woodford for the Cards. Martinez is 5-4 with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Woodford, who was just called back up from AAA Memphis, is 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. The Padres are feeling invincible and like Manny Machado told the Padres fans last night, “We are not out of it. Sixteen in a row.”
TONIGHT’S PICK: SAN DIEGO PADRES