The Debut of Mat Latos

Today is Mat Latos' debut as a Padre.

Some other notable debut starts by Padre pitchers:

Jake Peavy: June 22, 2002 v. the Yankees at Qualcomm: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB
Andy Benes: August 11, 1989 v. the Braves at Qualcomm: 6 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 7 K, 4 BB
Randy Jones: June 16, 1973 v. the Mets at Shea: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 0 BB
Clay Kirby: April 11, 1969 v. the Giants at Qualcomm: 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB

Good luck, Mat.

The Padres Starting Rotation

Trust me, Monkey, I know how you feel. That's the exact reaction I had this morning when I woke up and read the news that the Padres were calling up Walter Silva and Wade LeBlanc to replace the injured Jake Peavy and Chris Young in the starting rotation.

I knew this was coming ever since news broke of the Peavy-CY injuries, but to actually see it in print this morning had me taken aback.

Just take a look at the five men making up the Padres starting rotation as of this moment (career numbers in parentheses):

Kevin Correia (17-27, 4.58 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)
Chad Gaudin (30-31, 4.62, 1.53)
Josh Geer (3-3, 5.04, 1.35)
Wade LeBlanc (1-3, 8.02, 2.06)
Walter Silva (0-0, 6.52, 1.76)

Doesn't exactly call to mind the 1971 Orioles. In fact, it barely calls to mind the 1971 Padres (I'd give my favorite merino full zip sweater for a little Dave Roberts and Clay Kirby right now.)

But I digress. I don't want to take anything away from these five "Gentlemen of the Mound." I'm sure they'll do the best they can and, obviously, I wish them well. In fact, when Geer throws this afternoon against the M's, I'm going to do him the honor of stopping work immediately and devoting my full attention to his outing on mlb.tv.

I figure that's the least I can do to show support for young Mr. Geer.

Good luck today, Josh.

And Monkey, relax. At least you have a sweet green turtleneck to wear.

Best,
Bevormo