The Rotation

The Padres currently have, give or take a guy, 14 pitchers competing for rotation spots this Spring Training.  That number includes Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland who are recovering from Tommy John surgery and won't be available until mid-summer at the earliest.  The remaining 12 guys are a mix of veterans and youngsters, none of whom are top-of-the-rotation starters.  It could be a long season at Petco Park.

But what if some of the veterans had a season equal to their best season ever.  Then the Padres would have something!  Just look at the numbers:

1.  Jason Marquis - 15-7  3.71  201.1  [2004]

2.  Edinson Volquez - 17-6  3.21  196.0  [2008]

3.  Clayton Richard - 14-9  3.75  201.2  [2010]

4.  Freddy Garcia - 18-6  3.05  238.2  [2001]

5.  Tim Stauffer - 9-12  3.73  185.2  [2011]

6.  Eric Stults - 8-3  2.92  92.1  [2012]  

This could absolutely happen.  In fact, if Freddy Garcia doesn't throw 238 innings, I'll be shocked.

Not The Pitching Too ...

The Padres lost again last night to the Brewers, this time 8-6 in a game that at one point the Brewers led 8-0.

Small consolation.

Still, if the Padres win this afternoon, they'll be at .500 for the month, and no worse than 6 games back of first. That's not bad considering they have the worst hitting in the league. Nor is it bad considering their starting pitching, one of the team's few strengths in April, has been up and down this month.

Let's look at the starters numbers through the first 10 days of May (April ERA in parens):

Aaron Harang: 1-1 4.50 (3.90)
Tim Stauffer: 0-0 0.00 (3.12)
Dustin Moseley: 1-1 3.75 (1.99)
Clayton Richard: 0-2 8.64 (3.82)
Mat Latos: 0-1 4.63 (4.98)

After today every starter will have made two starts this month. But other than Tim's choice start against the DBacks last Friday, none of the guys has improved on his April numbers (Mat's middling improvement can hardly be counted). Aaron had a good start against the DBacks on Sunday, but that has to be paired with a disastrous outing against Pittsburgh on May 2. Moseley likewise had a great outing on May 1 against the Dadgers, only to be rocked Saturday against Arizona. And Clayton has been just bad, albeit the victim of some poor defense in his May 4 start against the Buccos.

If this up-and-down trend continues, Tim may be due for a dicey performance today. But I hope that doesn't happen.

How's that for an inspirational pregame speech?

Night Games At Wrigley Are Rarely Good

Growing up in Peoria, IL, about three hours drive south of Chicago, Wrigley Field was my family's go to spot for major league baseball games. My Dad would take me to at least one Padres-Cubs game a season, and those trips are some of the best memories any kid could possibly have.

Also, every single one of those games my Dad took me to was a day game. Wrigley didn't add lights until 1988 when I was 11 years old, and even then, they played only a handful of night games a season.

Since then, the few times I have gone to a night game at Wrigley (this game comes to mind), it is cold, wet, windy, and worst of all, feels a lot like every other stadium in baseball. It's nothing like the warm sunny days I knew growing up.

So if it was up to me the Cubs would only play day games at Wrigley. And, if they did play any night games, they certainly wouldn't beat the Padres 1-0 in ten innings in any of those games.

Life Lesson: If You Don't Win When You Have A Chance To Win, You Will Lose

Last night the Padres had many many chances to beat the Reds. But an inability to get big hits with the bases loaded in the 9th and 10th innings, a crucial throwing error by Clayton Richard that led to a Reds run, and two outstanding Reds defensive plays (one by Scott Rolen and one by Brandon Phillips that, incidentally, was one of the best plays I've ever seen by a second baseman), conspired to defeat the Padres in a game they really should have won.

The Padres have now lost 5 of their last 6 and are in danger of being swept away by the Reds later this afternoon.

It's up to Timothy James Stauffer to right the ship. I for one think he can do it.

"They call me Mister Double Play."

I can't say enough about Albert Pujols and his three double-play performance on Opening Day. I also can't say enough about Cameron Maybin's two-out game-tying homer in the ninth, or Tim Stauffer's solid start, or Pat Neshek's crafty relief performance.

And, now that I've said that I can't say enough, I think I'll sign off and get ready for today's rematch. Clay Richard goes against Jake Westbrook.

(Also, great photo by Chris Lee of the Post-Dispatch. People do things well in St. Louis.)

In The Belly Of The Beast: Padres Win Game Two In San Francisco

A less palpable tension this afternoon in Frisco. Maybe it was the bright sunny day, or perhaps it was the fact that Tim Stauffer, who has been absolute money in the second half, was on the mound, but today didn't feel as intense as last night.

Don't get me wrong, the game was riveting, from Zito's first inning control problems, to Bruce Bochy getting tossed for arguing a called strike three on Buster Posey in the 6th inning, to the final double play Heath Bell induced in the last half of the ninth. But it felt like the Padres were more in control this afternoon, even with a slightly smaller lead, than last night. Again, strange as it sounds, I think daylight made a difference.

Tomorrow's game is also during the day. Mat Latos throws for the Padres against archenemy Jonathan Sanchez. At stake is merely the playoffs and freedom for humankind.

October!

Timmy Stauffer Facing Down The Redbirds

In just a few hours time, our boy Tim Stauffer will take the mound in St. Louis against the usually-vaunted St. Louis Cardinals. At stake is merely the Padres continued presence in first place in the NL West. A loss tonight could drop the Padres out of first place for the first time since April.

I could not be more confident in Tim heading into tonight's game.

In 3 starts this season, Tim is 1-0 with a .067 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 2.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That breaks down as 15 ininings pitched, 13 hits, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 walks, and 7 Ks. His one win came against division rival San Francisco last Saturday, a sparkling start in which he allowed zero runs over 6 innings. Just outstanding.

Plus, the game is on the MLB Network so I won't have to squint at the action on my computer screen.

What a night!

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

Venable ... Bomb

Our boy Will Venable already hit a bomb tonight against the Rockies. The Drinos lead 2-0 in the bottom of the third. Stauffer is pitching a gem.

The Drinos will need to stay vigilant, however, because these Rockies don't give up easily.

Man, they're annoying.

Tim Stauffer + Clayton Richad + Kevin Correia = Nats Dominance

Tim "Stouffer". That's what Nats announcer Rob Dibble called Tim Stauffer on Monday night. Apparently no one in the Nats' broadcasting truck bothered to correct Dibble, because he must have said "Stouffer" about 16 times.

That's okay. I always liked Norm Charlton better anyway.

But I digress. More important than any name calling was the performance by the starting Padre pitchers during the series against the Nats. Tim, Clayton Richard and Kevin Correia all dominated. Their individual lines looked this:

Stauffer: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 Ks
Richard: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks
Correia: 7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 Ks

Yes, this all happened against the Nats, and while playing at Petco Park. But life's too short to discount good pitching performances. I'd rather spend my time celebrating them.

Nicely done, boys.

Stauffer's Huntin' Redbird

Tim,

In your last start against the Cardinals you threw 5 innings and allowed 7 hits and 4 runs, but also racked up 7 Ks. Victims of your K's included Ryan Ludwick (three times), Mark DeRosa (twice), Joel Piniero and Matt Holliday.

Those guys don't stand a chance against you tonight and neither do any of those other Cardinals.

You need to get through that first inning tonight. Last Saturday you gave up 3 runs to the Cards in the first inning. Granted, Pujols is, as always, looming there in the first inning, but I like your chances tonight of escaping the first frame unscathed. If you do that, I bet it'll be smooth sailing.

Actually, watch that second inning too. Teams are hitting .375 against you in the second inning this season. I bet if you survive the second inning tonight, it'll be smooth sailing the rest of the way.

But be careful of that 4th inning. Teams are smoking you to the tune of .333 in the 4th. But I bet tonight's different. Tonight you'll escape the 4th inning without a scratch and the rest will be smooth sailing.

Good luck out there tonight. Sailor.

Best,
Bevormo

The Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

And you thought I might never return. So silly of you.

Anyway, yes, I am back and will now begin posting regularly as I have been, with minor exceptions, since January.

Should be a good time.

I'll let you know where I was and why I had to take a few weeks off in an upcoming post, but in the meantime, let me say that the Padrinos tee off against the Bravos in a few minutes time. Our boy Tim Stauffer takes the hill and looks to continue his legendary comeback season.

Let me also mention that in the few moments I've been able to watch the Padres over the past few weeks, I've liked what I've seen. Especially the play of Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Everth Cabrera and wunderkind Mat Latos. And I'm not the only one. Geoff Young is so stoked by these guys that he invented a "modified box score" system specifically to track their performance the remainder of the season. Geoff's system seems a lot like my own highly scientific system of "watch the games and see if these guys do anything good."

Both systems are equally accurate measures of performance.

Go Padres! Tonight! Against the Braves!

The Return of Tim Stauffer

The Return of Tim Stauffer, a.k.a. "Stauffer's Return," continues tonight against the Marlins.

I will be pleased if the Padres win.

Anthony Bass, Bryan Oland ... And Other Top Padres Prospects

Hitters yesterday, pitchers today. And leading the charge of Padre minor league pitchers through July 1 are two beasts, Anthony Bass and Bryan Oland (that's Anthony pictured above, back in his Wayne St. days).

I know, I know. Latos is probably the number 1 guy. But he was at the top of these rankings last month and I want to mix it up a bit. That's the beauty of compiling arbitrary rankings on your blog: you can do whatever you want.

A few changes this month: (1) only guys with 1.20 WHIP are lower made the list; and (2) the list is divided between starters and relievers. Hence, both Bass and Oland get recognition as the top guy in their respective roles.

To the lists.

Starters

1. Anthony Bass, RHP, Fort Wayne: Anthony probably should be in High A but, regardless, his numbers are hard to ignore: 7-3 1.95 ERA, 59/25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, 1.14 WHIP. He's given up 3 earned runs over his last 8 starts which is ridiculous. He's ready for a move.

2. Mat Latos, RHP, FW/San Antonio: Dominated at the Texas League All Star Game last night. I'm stoked for his first start this September as a Padre. I'm hoping it's against the hated Dadgers and he K's Ethier, Manny and Loney in order. Yep, that's probably going to happen. He is currently 7-1, 1.28, 65/12, .78 on the season.

3. Cory Luebke, LHP, Lake Elsinore/SA: Man, isn't Cory is exactly what the Padres need? A reliable lefty starter, maybe the #3 guy in the rotation, who can strike guys out? Picture him slotted behing Peavy and Latos in a couple years, or maybe as the #4 guy behind Peavy-Latos-Young. That could be a nice veteran-youngster mix. Cory is kicking it at 9-2, 2.31, 84/18, 1.02.

4. Tim Stauffer, RHP, SA/Portland: He was roughed up a bit last night, but the Timmy Stauffer comeback this season has been a heartwarmer worthy of Hallmark. You know the tale: shoulder injury out of college, still managed to fight his way to the majors, major surgery last year, and now back for another go 'round. Stauffer could be that mystery #5 starter on a pennant winner. The guy who had top of the rotation stuff once upon a time but could never realize his potential because of injuries. That would be some kinda nice, to borrow Mark Grant's phrase, if it happened. Not counting last night, Tim is 2-0, 2.17, 21/5, .86 on the year.

Relievers

1. Bryan Oland, RHP, LE: Bryan is a big kid, measuring 6'3" 230. As the Lake Elsinore closer on the season, he's racked up 19 saves to go along with his 3-1, 1.29, 38/11, 1.06. I don't know a lot about Bryan's stuff, but I like his potential.

2. Brad Brach, RHP, FW: A big part of Fort Wayne's success this season, Brad has 18 saves to go along with his 3-2, 1.64, 43/7, .70. He's been basically unhittable lately, giving up only 1 hit in 6 appearances since June 9.

3. Evan Scribner, RHP, SA: When the Padres acquired Evan last season, I thought they were going to move him quickly to the bigs to take advantage of the fact he was unknown to Big League hitters (similar to what the D'Backs have done this season with Daniel Schlereth). It wasn't to be but Evan is at AA now and is pitching well. So far on the season he's 4-1, 2.02, 35/9, .93. I bet he gets a long look in Spring Training.

4. Nick Schumacher, RHP, FW: Like Anthony Bass, Nick is a Wayne St. guy, for whatever that's worth. Not sure what kind of stuff he's got, but you've gotta like his 3-0, 1.08 21/1, .96. That 21-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is especially choice.

5. Mike Ekstrom, RHP, Portland: Mike has seen a little Big League time this year but hasn't yet been able to stick. He will pitch in the upcoming PCL All Star game, which is nice. Mike is 3-1, 2.08, 30/14, 1.02 with 9 holds.

6. Zachary Herr, LHP, FW: The lefty from Nebraska has watched his ERA skyrocket since earlier this season, but his peripheral numbers are still choice. Must be a bit of bad luck for Zach. He's at 4-2, 4.09, 40/10, 1.15.

7. Eduardo Perez, RHP, FW: I'll be honest, I had not heard of Eduardo until I started looking at stats to compile this post. He is a 21-year old Venezuelan who, in 13 games this season, is 2-0, 3.51, 19/8, 1.17. He may not make this type of list again, but for now, well done, Eduardo.