The San Diego Padres injuries with Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, and Jackson Merrill took their toll, as the Padres were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. After an off day look for the Padres to regroup behind ace Nick Pivetta. Additionally, Logan Webb gave up a season high ten hits to the Padres last year not once but twice in 2024. Take the Padres even if they continue to struggle at the plate in a 2-1, 3-2 type of victory.

The Padres swept the Giants the last time they played in September, but they've hit the skids in April after a fantastic start, losing four straight and scoring only three combined runs in those games. The bad place started in Detroit and then continued at home against Tampa Bay, who swept the Padres. I'm sure the lack of continuity is aided by Jackson Merrill being injured along Jake Cronenworth and Luis Arraez. But the Padres are sending Nick Pivetta to the mound, who has allowed no runs in three starts and one run in another start. The Padres are 12-4 at home and need to shake the funk. Padres to win.

Finally some adversity for the Padres, who hadn't been swept until the Rays turned the trick at Petco Park on the weekend. Who better to fix the slump than Nick Pivetta, one of the pleasant surprises of the season after posting a 1.20 ERA across his first five starts. In three home starts this season, Pivetta has posted an 0.45 ERA in 20 IP. The numbers for Giants counterpart Logan Webb's aren't far behind, including a 1.98 ERA, but note he had a bumpy go of it in four starts vs. the Padres last season, with San Diego hitters registering a .340 BA against him. Play Padres.

The Padres' lack of offensive depth has shown itself with injuries to Luis Arraez, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth. They get to deal with Logan Webb and an excellent, rested, Giants bullpen. The Giants are 10-6 on the road and finding ways to win. Padres starter Nick Pivetta is good, but he isn't 1.20 ERA good. Regression is coming soon. Why not now?