“Cant win ‘em all if you don’t win the first one!”  That’s what we used to say as players when ever we were the victors in the season opener.  The Padres clubhouse was no doubt yelling that refrain after yesterday’s hard fought, extra inning, 5-3 win over the Cardinals at New Busch Stadium.  It was a game that featured 3 Friar comebacks, hopefully making it a harbinger of another season of exciting, tough, never say die Padres baseball like we watched all last year.

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Coming into spring training it seemed like the only spot being fought for was the 5^th spot, but now all indications are that both the 4^th and 5^th positions are up for grabs.   Read the rest of this entry »

Every team has its “If” list as it gets ready for the season, for that team to be competitive.  “If” we stay healthy, “if” that player can come back from his surgery, “if” the young phenom can translate his gaudy minor league stats into similar big league numbers, “if” the aging veteran can do it for just one more year, etc.  The Padres are no exception, especially when it comes to their starting rotation.  Here is the Padre “if” list for their starting rotation in my perceived order of importance. Read the rest of this entry »