After Wednesday’s tough loss to the Oakland Athletics, the San Diego Padres now find themselves 7-1/2 games back of the NL West leading San Francisco Giants. The good news for the Friars is the Arizona Diamondbacks come to town tonight, followed by another bottom dweller, the Miami Marlins. If they are going to go on a run, now is the time. San Diego had yesterday off so they are well rested and after a day off, the Padres are 5-1 in their last 6. The expected starters for tonight’s game are two southies, Caleb Smith for the Snakes and Ryan Weathers for the Padres. Smith is just 3-8 on the season with a 5.04 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and Arizona is 0-5 in his last 5 road starts. Weathers comes in with decent numbers at 4-3, with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, but was lit up in his last outing against the Colorado Rockies so any sign of trouble and it will become a bullpen session. Arizona is a pathetic 13-41 on the road and 2-6 in their last 8 at Petco Park. The Padres should be able to light up Smith. San Diego is 11-3 in their last 14 home games against a left-handed starter.
TONIGHT’S PICK: SAN DIEGO PADRES