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MLB Predictions / Previews: San Diego Padres

Gamblers know that pitching will take you a long way, but what’s the point if there’s no offense to drive in runs? This is the problem facing the 2009 version of the San Diego Padres heading into the upcoming season…

MLB Team Preview – San Diego Padres

MLB betting players know that pitching will take you a long way, but what’s the point if there’s no offense to drive in runs? This is the problem facing San Diego heading into the MLB season, and sportsbook odds are against the Padres in 2009.

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Simply put, the Padres were awful offensively last year, finishing last in the majors with 637 runs scored. Outside of 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.279, 36 HR, 119 RBI) and maybe Kevin Kouzmanoff (.260, 23 HR, 84 RBI), there is no one in the Padres’ lineup that instills fear in opposing pitchers. Outfielder Cliff Floyd joined the team from Tampa Bay, but he’s not going to win any home-run hitting contests, and he’s 36 years old. Of course, playing in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park doesn’t help, but that isn’t the reason San Diego hit .250 as a team last year.

In 2007 Cy Young winner Jake Peavy and Chris Young, the Padres have a one-two combination to kick off the rotation that any team would love to have. However, 2008 wasn’t a banner year for the duo, as Peavy (10-11, 2.85) and Young (7-6, 3.96) battled injuries last year. Peavy still even pitched well when he was healthy, but the offense let him down as nine of his 11 losses came when the Padres scored three or fewer runs. Cha Seung Baek (6-10, 4.79) is the third starter, and he could open the season on the disabled list. The Padres will also have to replace a future Hall-of-Fame closer in Trevor Hoffman, who took his 554 career saves to Milwaukee. Heath Bell takes over the role after being Hoffman’s set-up man for two years, and while he won’t be mistaken for Hoffman, Bell is a strong enough closer to give San Diego a late chance.

The Padres have MLB odds of +1600 to win the National League West, and they’re +4400 to win the pennant, just three years removed from a loss to St. Louis in the NLDS. Until they improve their offense, it’ll be a struggle for the Padres just to stay out of the West cellar. The health of Peavy and Young is a great concern for the Padres, although Peavy looked great in the World Baseball Classic. However, that could come back to haunt Peavy later in the year. Don’t expect many MLB betting upsets from San Diego in 2009.

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Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"

One reply on “MLB Predictions / Previews: San Diego Padres”

My only question with this team is can they keep their loss total under 100. I do not think they took to many steps forward this past off season and given the strength of the rest of the division, they may have actually take a step backward in 2009.

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