Three games into Spring Training and the Padres finally have their first victory in the books after shutting out the White Sox 5-0 yesterday. Both Odrisamer Despaigne and Brandon Morrow looked great in their Spring debuts, turning up the heat in the competition for the Padres' fifth rotation spot. On the offensive side, Matt Kemp got his first two hits and first RBI in a Padres uniform, while his trade mate Tim Federowicz got a double and an RBI of his own.
This afternoon might be the most anticipated Padres pitching performance of Spring so far as James Shields makes his San Diego debut. After pitching into October last season, Buddy Black and the Friars wanted to give Shields a little extra rest before putting him to work. And But it looks like the Giants DID NOT had have the same idea when it came to Madison Bumgarner, who will also be making his Spring debut start today after making his Spring debut on March 3rd and giving up four runs in less than three innings.
Today's starting pitching matchup should look familiar. Last October, Shields and Bumgarner met twice in the postseason. The first time, in Game 1 of the seven-game series, Shields allowed five runs in just three innings while Bumgarner kept the Royals to one run through seven frames. The second time around, in game 5, Shields pitched much more effectively, keeping SF to two runs in six innings of work. Bumgarner, however, dominated with a four-hit shutout, a performance dubbed by Buddy Black among many others as "one of the best [postseason] performances of all time."
So today's rematch of sorts should be a fun one to watch. Shields is ready to get back on the mound and we're definitely ready to see him pitch in that Padres uniform.
As we look at today's lineup, a couple of things to note:
- Yangervis Solarte is playing first base.
Bud Black on @Solarte26 playing first base today: "Versatility is part of his bag which makes him attractive to us." pic.twitter.com/UC8IQ6emn3
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 7, 2015
- Justin Upton is still out of the lineup after feeling "under the weather" prior to yesterday's game, but he's resting his way back to full health and could return as soon as tomorrow.
#Padres OF Justin Upton is feeling better, Bud Black said. Sent home to be safe. Could return to lineup on Sunday.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) March 7, 2015
Lineups:
James Shields is on the mound today for the first time as a Padre! Here is today's #PadresST starting lineup: pic.twitter.com/aueFAGIFex
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 7, 2015
#SFGiants Lineup for 3/7 vs. SD: Aoki RF Panik 2B Pagan CF Posey C Belt 1B McGehee 3B Maxwell LF Adrianza SS Bumgarner P
— World Champs (@SFGiants) March 7, 2015
How to watch/listen:
You can watch today's game live on MLB.TV at 12:05 pm PT.or catch the delayed showing tonight at 9:00 pm on MLB Network. As usual, the live radio broadcast is available on padres.com, At-Bat, or The Mighty 1090.
GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!! SLAY THE GIANTS!!