Around The Horn
San Diego @ Philly
The phils throw a rookie on the hill and they are a 130 chalk? Perhaps for some good reason the phils have taken three out of four against the padres this year(handily i may add) and after returning from quite the lengthy road trip they look to get on the winning track.
The unknown for the phils tonight is Duckworth, and although he may start the night out a little shaky due to his nerves, i look for him to pitch a good one tonight.
Duckworth and Estrada insist it's no surprise to them that fellow rookies Nelson Figueroa and David Coggin have gone a combined 5-3 with a 3.10 earned run average in 15 starts since moving into the rotation.
"Knowing them, it doesn't surprise me at all," Duckworth said. "It's been great following what they've been doing. We always were watching the games back in our clubhouse."
Estrada said he expects more of the same from Duckworth, who left triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the International League leader in wins (13), ERA (2.63), and strikeouts (150).
"I think you'll probably see a pitcher who is very confident," Estrada said. "He might be a little nervous. . . . I know how he must feel right now. This has to be a big thrill for him."
You also have to like the kid's work ethic.
Duckworth made another strong impression yesterday. Before he checked into his hotel room, he stopped at Veterans Stadium about 3 p.m. and spent the afternoon watching videotape of the Padres' hitters.
"I just got done watching the tapes," Duckworth said. "I know they've got some pop in their lineup."
The padres come in after dropping two out of three to the reds, but it was the last one that hurt the most.
We didn't deserve to win that game," said manager Bruce Bochy. "We gave it away. We made too many mistakes. We helped Cincinnati out a little. We have to get back to playing good baseball."
The bullpen is a disaster as noted. At the moment, the bullpen is a vulnerable patchwork that yesterday offered little relief in the Padres' 10-9 loss to the Reds before 28,253 at Qualcomm Stadium.
In a span of two innings, relievers Rodney Myers, Chuck McElroy and Rudy Seanez surrendered five runs while allowing only three hits. An error by shortstop Jimenez figured into the scoring -- again. So did four walks and a hit batter and the third run-scoring wild pitch by a Padre in three games as San Diego blew a chance to pull to within a game of .500.
We're vulnerable there," Bochy admitted.
"We have to tighten the bullpen up. We're two setup guys down."
So with the bullpen in tatters you have to look to the starter and the padres are going with bobby jones. Jones has pitched well of late but lacks the run production from his team only getting 2.7 runs in his last three starts. the padres overall have only won 8 of 23 starts that Jones has made.
Final Analysis
The padres could get a couple of early runs of the rookie but he should settle in just fine. The key is behind the plate as Estrada (although he is a rookie) calls the games like a savy veteran. Jones will get touched up as the phils hit well against him.
Rolen .313
Glanville .333
Abreu .375
Lee .286
If jones pitches well, his bullpen can't support him and should blow this one. The public is backing the padres and that's good enough for me.
Phillies -130
I'll wait a bit, the prices are dropping
JT
Sneaks
Sneaks
