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Mariners Host ‘Vedder Cup’ With Padres
Mar 5, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Wil Myers (4) gets tagged out by Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) in the third inning during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
As a San Diego native, this upcoming series between the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners is going to be fun. I get to attend both games at Safeco Field and our family will be split between the two teams. Both teams are starting to play well after so-so Aprils. This is a good time to play each other.
For those who don’t know, this matchup is known as the “Vedder Cup” due to Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder calling both San Diego and Seattle home. Some people call this a rivalry due to each team sharing the Peoria Sports Complex during Spring Training. In my opinion, it is more of a friendly bout of teams with similar circumstances. Living with and among Mariners fans has convinced me that we are just friendly neighbors.
These two teams have a few things in common. First is no World Series title, though the Padres have two appearances and it is well known the Mariners are yet to even appear in the Fall Classic. Both teams historically have had low payrolls in divisions with spendy, trendy teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics). Both teams usually have good pitching with spotty offense with a superstar hitter every now and then.
Next: Both Teams are Hitting their Stride
May 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Justin Upton against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Both Teams are Hitting their Stride
Another thing these two teams have in common is this season there are higher expectations due to acquisitions that have boosted the offense. It is no secret that San Diego’s GM A.J. Preller revamped the entire Padres’ lineup and so far it has panned out. Justin Upton is 4th in the National League with 8 home runs and 5th in RBI with 24.
New catcher Derek Norris is hitting .304 and is tied for second in the NL with 13 doubles. Leadoff hitter Wil Myers is leading all of baseball with 28 runs scored.
Their offense has been dramatically improved. In 2014, the Padres were by far the worst offensive club, averaging just 3.3 runs per game. This season they have gotten it up to 4.64, which is third in the National League.
The Mariners are still trying to get their offense going. Nelson Cruz leads the universe with 14 home runs. The Mariners are averaging 3.77 runs per game while last year it was 3.91, so there is still plenty room for improvement. Robinson Cano is starting to turn it on, he hit .348 this past week.
Logan Morrison has been a lot better since he starting using one of Nelson Cruz’s bats. He hit two home runs this week including a walk-off home run with a .273 average.
Let’s take a look at both pitching matchups for this quick two-game series.
Next: Game 1
May 5, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) pitches the first inning starting pitcher James Paxton (65) against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1 Tuesday, 7:10pm
James Paxton (0-2, 5.08 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy (2-1, 5.03 ERA)
Paxton is coming off of a nice performance against the Angels where he went 7 innings and only allowed 2 runs. He has never faced the Padres, but is 1-1 with a 3.31 career ERA in interleague games. He has a 2.89 ERA in 10 career starts at Safeco Field.
Kennedy is recently off the disabled list, and has performed well since being blasted by the Dodgers last month. He is coming off of his best start of 2015 against the Giants when he went 7 innings while only allowing one run and 5 strikeouts.
The two Mariners hitters with the most experience against Kennedy are Rickie Weeks (25 plate appearances) and Seth Smith (23). Smith has far better numbers against his former San Diego teammate, with a .300 average and a home run. Weeks has struggled with a 3-for-21 line (.143).
Next: Game 2
May 8, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher James Shields against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Game 2 Wednesday, 7:10pm
TBD vs. James Shields (4-0, 4.25 ERA)
The Mariners have pulled Roenis Elias from being the expected starter according to MLB.com’s Josh Liebeskind. Manager Llyod McClendon has not ruled him out yet but has not made a definite decision on who will pitch in the final game of this two-game series. It may be because the Padres hit .270 off of lefties this year as opposed to .251 off of righties.
Shields has struggled lately with the long ball. He has allowed 11 home runs in 7 starts. Yet he is 4-0 as he has benefited the most out of any other Padres starter from run support. For two games in a row, he has allowed 5 runs yet earned the win.
He has 7 career starts at Safeco Field and has a 3.61 ERA with a 3-3 record. Robinson Cano has the second most appearances against Shields only behind Derek Jeter. In 89 plate appearances he is hitting .405 with 4 home runs.
Next: Final Thoughts
May 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) gets an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts
This is a big series for both teams. National League teams are always excited to come to American League parks to tryout the DH (side note, I am on the side of leaving the DH subject status quo). The Padres are winless in their one interleague series so far due to being swept by the Houston Astros.
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The Mariners have been playing some good baseball right now. They are riding a three-game winning streak, and their offense seems to be coming along. Robinson Cano is turning it on and Logan Morrison seems to be coming around. Seattle is 5th in home runs with 36, and the team is hitting .237. At 14-17, the Mariners sit 5.5 games back of the Astros.
As far as a prediction goes for this series, I see a split. The Padres are throwing their ace out there on Wednesday. The Mariners seem to have more momentum, coming off of a sweep. I am looking forward to this Vedder Cup, it should be a fun and entertaining series with both teams on the upswing!
Next: Mariners Analysis: 3 Players Who Warrant a Call-Up
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