Padres vs. Dodgers Series Recap 4/4/14

It was a fun season series opener despite the fact that the Padres dropped it to the Dodgers 2 games to 1.  It was a mixed bag of things that went well, and some not so well.  The firs two games were just great baseball, with the padres taking the opener in come from behind fashion 3-1, then dropping the second game 3-2 with the tying run on base each of the last five innings.  The last game was not as close having to play catch up right away down 3 runs after the first and ultimately losing 5-1.

So what went well, and what needs to improve?

PITCHING:

• The starting pitching in games 1 and 2 was solid. Cashner looked great in the opener, pitching out of some bad luck trouble a couple of times, and getting the team through  down by 1.  Kennedy in game two, was a little inconsistent with is FB location in the first inning and allowed 2 runs to cross, but settled down after that allowing 1 run over the next four frames.  He used the fastball and slider mostly, and the key thing is as he settled down his pitches were more consistently down when he wanted them to be, while still being able to elevate by design when needed.  In game 3 Ross struggled with his FB command from the get go, and allowed 3 early runs.  He finally found it during the 3rd inning, but by then the pitch count was working against him, and he allowed another run in the 5th.  Being 6’5″, it may take him a few outings to get all his mechanics lined up.  Summary: Cash and Kennedy gave the Pads a chance to win the first two games.  First outings of the year there are always butterflies, and fine tuning still to be done. Same holds true for Stults for his first outing against the Marlins.
• The bullpen was overall solid.  Every member saw action including Roach making his MLB debut.  Combined the ‘pen threw 10 innings, allowing only 1 run.  So far so good.

HITTING:

• Seth Smith of course has been the highlight of the Padres “O” with 2 HR’s, and early .429 avg.  Cabrera’s hitting the ball, and Will Venable is swinging the bat fine so far.  Other that that the offense got off to a slow start vs. L.A. The key stat of the series, 2 for 23 with runners in scoring position – that has to and will improve.

FIELDING:

• 3 errors, only one that resulted in a run scoring, and that one was made by the pitcher Ross.  It wasn’t the sharpest this defense can play, and had it not been for several really nice scoops out of the dirt by Yonder Alonso the impact could have been significant.  Nothing terrible in the first three games but some little things on infield throws, and some cutoff plays that will tighten up now that the opening jitters should be behind.

All in all, it was some exciting and well played baseball that had the Padres been able to get a few more hits with runners on they could easily have taken at least 2 out of 3 from the team that most of the world is picking to win the division.  The challenge at this point of the series is to ry to not to make too many snap judgments, good or bad, about things with only 3 of 162 games under the best.  The back bone of this club, the pitching and defense, were mostly there, now the Friars need to get the bats going on this road trip, hopefully starting tonight against the Marlins.

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