Zawadzki ... Getting The Call

Because our pal Everth Cabrera is heading to the DL, our boy Lance Zawadzki is getting the Call to the Bigs.

Congrats, Lance. I think you've got a chance to be a solid ballplayer.

I have nothing more at this time.

Wade LeBlanc: What A Beast

I have no doubt that Wade is going to get it dun tonight against the Brewers.

In his first two starts of the 2010 season, Wade has been, in a word, dominant. He shut down the D'Backs, a team known for hitting bombs and scoring runs, over 5 innings, striking out 7 and giving up only 1 run. Then, in that bandbox in Cincy, he pitched 6 innings of 3-hit ball, dropping his season's ERA to a miniscule 0.82.

What are the odds we see more of the same tonight in the friendly confines of Petco Park.

If I were Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, and I basically am, I probably wouldn't even come to the ballpark today.

Gregerson And The Padres Sticking It To The Marlins

Just watched Luke pitch another perfect 7th inning against the Marlins, this following his dominant, three-K 7th inning in last night's game.

On the season, not counting his outing this afternoon, Luke has 14 Ks over 11.1 innings pitched, to go along with a 2.38 ERA and .128 batting average against. He has not relinquished a home run, and has walked only two hitters.

Plus, as the photo above attests, he looks friendly and nice.

Luke. Getting it dun.

Three Straight Sweeps?

Clayton leads the charge today as the Padres go for their ninth straight victory.

The Padres have dominated the Reds the past two days, neither of which game I was able to watch. But I'll be tuning in today to watch Clayton deal.

Let's get this dun.

Let The Ryan Mathews Era Begin

This kid looks like a UFC fighter. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he knows Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or some such other way to make grown men cry.

Congrats go to A.J. Smith for yet another draft day snake, moving up 16 spots to snag Ryan Mathews with the #12 overall pick. Mathews will be in the backfield from snap #1 of the Chargers' 2010 season, and I could not be more excited.

I'm also excited Mathews won't be on the field when the Illini go to Fresno St. this December. Mathews torched the Illini - as he torched most other teams - for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 53-52 Fresno St. victory in Champaign last December 5.

Here is a picture of that fun day:

Garland Needs To Get It Dun

Hey Jon,

Let's get this dun tonight against the D-backs.

And when I say get it dun, I mean GET. IT. DUN.

Best,

Bevormo

Crossover Alert: Philip Rivers Is A Padre

Philip threw out the first pitch in Monday's home opener against the Bravos.

By all accounts he airmailed the pitch high and wide of home plate.

No matter. If he'd been wearing pads with Kyle Blanks charging him from his blindside, the pitch would have been a down-the-middle strike.

Adrian's Patented Opposite Field Bomb Swing

Well, it's good to know some things are in mid-season form.

But Padres smoked yesterday by the Diamantebacks.

Today with CY they get on track.

Opening Day For The Drinos: Hairston

Hey Scott Hairston,

You master of the clutch, late-inning bomb and all-around good dude ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can start perhaps with a game-winning bomb or, if you feel like saving a couple of those for the stretch run, maybe a late-innning go-ahead single. You know, something from your patented arsenal of clutch knocks. I'll look forward to it.

Now get out there and Hairston it up.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Hairston, Jr.

Hey Jerry Hairston, Jr.,

You World Series champ, brother of Scotty Bombs, utility-man extraordinaire ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can welcome yourself back to the NL - brandishing a World Series ring no less - and perhaps let fly with a pinch-hit bomb, or maybe a late-inning defensive stop to assist Heath finish the game off. Later in the season you may even start at 2B. Who knows what will happen?

Now get out there and go Hairston on those Diamantebacks.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Stauffer

Hey Tim Stauffer,

You comeback-kid, feel good story, sneaky solid pitcher without options who I'm glad the Padres kept ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can prove you are all the way back from the shoulder troubles that have limited your career to date, and that you are a "snake in the grass" former first round pick disguised in middle reliever's clothing. Maybe even show us you are worthy of a spot in the rotation in a few weeks if all goes well.

Now go out there and show everyone what's for dinner.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Latos

Hey Mat Latos,

You tattooed, bad boy, fifth-starting future ace ... how about having a year, huh?

In nary a few days you'll set out to prove last season's rookie campaign and this season's Spring Training dominance were no flukes, and that you are more than capable of settling into the role of "future ace in the #5 starter spot."

Now go out there and absolutely dominate.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Mujica

Hey Edward Mujica,

You middle-relieving, braces-wearing, guy-with-a-cool-sounding name ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can start showing you will own whatever innings Buddy Black calls on you to pitch - be it the 5th or 6th, or maybe the 8th or 9th in a mop up role, or perhaps even a spot start or two - and that opposing hitters will regularly leave the batter's box in failure wondering, "Who was that effing guy?"

Now go out there and get some timely Ks, lazy pop ups and weak ground balls.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Venable

Hey Will Venable,

You son of Max, former hoops player at Princeton, and right fielder with sneaky upside ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can start showing your rapid improvement in the game of baseball since returning to the game after focusing on hoops in college. You can show you'll be a better pro than you were a minor leaguer, and show you are an everday Big League right fielder.

Now go out there and lace some doubles and make some diving catches.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Eckstein

Hey David Eckstein,

You hard-charging, not-that-good, veteran second baseman ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you start showing the naysaysers and nonbelievers that you do have a bit left in the tank and will stroke some clutch singles and doubles this season. Even if every Padres fan hopes you are supplanted by Matt Antonelli, Jerry Hairston, Jr. or Logan Forsythe by season's end.

Now go out there and out-hustle somebody.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Drinos: Richard

Hey Clayton Richard,

You 4th starter who pitched well last season after coming over from the White Sox in the Jake Peavy trade ... how about having a year, huh?

In a few days you'll get to start proving you are legit #4 starter in the Bigs and start helping Padres fans forget about that guy from Semmes, Alabama who's named rhymed with Make Meavy.

So get out there and start missing bats with your crafty, lefty stuff.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Padrinos: Gregerson

Hey Luke Gregerson,

You "player-to-be-named-later" in the Khalil Greene trade ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you get to start proving last year wasn't a fluke and continue being an integral part of the Gregerson-Adams-Bell triumvirate that should hold any Padres lead from the 7th inning on this season.

Now get out there and start owning the 7th inning.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For The Padrinos: Headley

Hey Chase,

You third baseman/left fielder/third baseman ... how about having a year, huh?

Today against the Diamantebacks you get to return to your natural position and start focusing your full attention on raking weak sauce pitching to all corners of the field.

Now go out there and start showing what a former #1 Drino prospect can do when fully unleashed from his natural position.

Best,
Bevormo

Opening Day For the Padrinos: Cabrera

Hey Everth,

You rangy, youthful, Latino speedster ... how about having a year, huh?

Today against the Diamantebacks you get to start stealing bags and taking away sure base hits up the middle by ranging over behind second base and making spectacular diving plays.

Now go make some plays and get on base so the big boys can drive you home.

Best,
Bormo

Opening Day For the Padrinos: Stairs

Hey Matt Stairs,

You bounty-hunter lookin' sonuvabitch ... how about having a year, huh?

You get to start teeing off on NL West pitching this afternoon against the Arizona Diamantebacks.

I know you're stoked.

Now go put a beatdown on some baseballs.

Best,
Bormo