Have to say I'm a little surprised that Fernando Tatis Jr. is in the Padres lineup -- I was not playing the Dads if not. Looked like he might be fairly injured after taking an HBP last night. Pirates starter Bailey Falter has an ERA near 6.00 overall and at 8.79 in two day starts. A lot of Padres have good if limited splits off him. I don't believe the Bucs should be favored with Tatis in there ...

The Padres have beaten the Pirates seven straight times, including a 9-4 victory last night to start a three-game series. The Padres have lost three straight games behind Randy Vasquez, and he blew up in one of them, allowing six runs to the Tigers two weeks ago. Today, he should have a good five innings based on his five other good starts and get the Padres started, who have won three straight. Bailey Falter has allowed 10 runs in his last two starts. Pittsburgh has lost five of its last six. Padres win today.