The San Diego Padres are set to face off against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend in a vital series for both teams. Currently, the Padres hold the last Wild Card spot in the National League with a record of 44-36. The Reds are close behind at 42-39, trailing by 2.5 games.
Recent performances suggest contrasting paths for the two teams. The Reds come into the series energized, having recently taken two out of three games from the New York Yankees, contributing to a strong record of 12 wins in their last 17 games. Conversely, the Padres have struggled since their hot start and have been hovering around .500 over the past couple of months, despite winning four of their last five games against the Washington Nationals and Kansas City Royals.
The Padres’ offensive statistics show a team wOBA of .307, which ranks them 20th in the MLB. Their lineup, featuring star players such as Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Manny Machado, has not consistently translated into runs. On the pitching side, they boast a solid ERA of 3.62 and a FIP of 3.80, with the bullpen performing particularly well and ranking third in the league with a 3.30 ERA. The upcoming series at Great American Ball Park, known for its favorable hitting conditions, may pose challenges for the Padres’ pitchers.
The Reds, on the other hand, have an impressive batting average against right-handed pitchers, ranking seventh in wOBA at .328. Given that the Padres will send three right-handed starters to the mound this weekend, the Reds will be seeking to take full advantage of their offensive strengths.
This series marks a pivotal moment for the Reds as they strive to improve their playoff hopes. The enthusiasm displayed by fans during the Yankees series is expected to carry over, making for an exciting weekend of baseball.
Pitching Matchups
Friday, June 27th (7:10 PM ET): LHP Nick Martinez vs. RHP Dylan Cease
Saturday, June 28th (2:10 PM ET): LHP Andrew Abbott vs. RHP Randy Vasquez
Sunday, June 29th (1:40 PM ET): LHP Nick Lodolo vs. RHP Stephen Kolek
Those interested in watching can catch all three games on the FanDuel Sports Network, which offers streaming options without blackout restrictions for in-market viewers. For fans outside the Reds TV market, the games will also be available through MLB.tv.
The stage is set for an engaging series that could have significant implications for both teams as they look to solidify their playoff aspirations.