Better Know a Padre

[Edgy MD]

The thread where we share information about the team ours is going to face.



Austin Nola, c, #26, r/r, 32 years old



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The Padres, like the Mets, have a fungible catching situation, with #1 and #2 being more #1a and #2a. Like the Mets, neither offer much offense. Both, however have offered more offense this season than either of the Mets catchers. Since coming off paternity leave in early September, however, Austin Nola seems to have re-established himself as the guy of the moment.



Nola, whose brother Aaron is also enjoying playoff coffee this fall, is kind of classickly catcherlike, squat build, hairy ropy forearms, and some protruding ears. He hits righthanded, has puncher's power, but not much more. But he's totally a pro's pro, having been drafted as a 22-year-old utility infielder and converting only as a professional. Every scouting report on him will say something about "makeup." He has a short swing and that and ropy forearms and his scratchy beard might make him remind you of Tomás Nido, but the offensive track record is probably two ticks stronger. Probably maybe.



I'm sure if you hire a coach out of his organization, he'll come over and immediate say that Nola is somebody you should look at. And ex-teammates will tell you he's great in the clubhouse. But he's never thrown out more than 27% of opposing baserunners, and you just really have to kind of squint to see in his record what people seem to see in person.



His name is Nola and he's actually from Louisiana originally — not NOLA, but Baton Rouge, but it would be cool if he had been from New Orleans, though the novelty would wear out soon enough. Alas.



He has trouble catching up with good fastballs, and the Mets have a few pitchers who can deliver those, so you might see him pinch-hit for in key spots. As a converted infielder, who hasn't spent his life in the crouch, and doesn't carry a whole lot of extra mass on his frame, he's still a good athlete and baserunner as 32-year-old catchers go, though don't expect him to steal anything. The Pads have no problem using him as a backup infielder.



That's a lot of descriptive prose to describe the Padres' most nondescript of pros. He was also on the LSU team that got knocked out by the Cinderella Stony Brook Seawolf team from the 2012 College World Series, so he knows how to lose to New York teams.



Tell me about the other Padres catcher, Jorge Alfaro. Or maybe go right to first base and give me the skinny on Josh Bell or somebody. Or jump all the way over to the pitching staff. IT'S UP TO YOU!!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Can we talk about Nate Colbert?



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[Edgy MD]

Probably the best Padre, pre-Winfield, but I don't think he'll see a lot of action in this series.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Looking at their stats, it looks like Manny Machado is the hitter we should fear the most. Although Sosa could certainly wake up at any time.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Juan Soto had an off-year by his standards, but especially post-trade to SD (159 OPS+ with the Nats, 130 with SD). But that guy still scares me a lot. Be brave, Joelly.

[ashie62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Can we talk about Nate Colbert? https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/72/72-571Fr.jpg> https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/72/72-571Bk.jpg>

Nate was a cornerstone of my Stratomatic play by mail team

[whippoorwill]

I remember his multi HR doubleheader!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Fun fact! His mother was Claudette Colbert and his son is Steven Colbert!

[Gwreck]

Friday's starting pitcher is Yu Darvish.



Darvish is 36, in the 5th year of a 6 year contract initially signed with Chicago before the 2018 season. The Cubs traded him to San Diego after a 2020 season in which Darvish was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award (8-3, 2.01 ERA in 12 starts).



After an up-and-down 2021, Darvish has had an excellent 2022 with San Diego: 16-8, 3.10 ERA in 194.2 innings; 197 Ks against 37 walks; a 0.950 WHIP.



He had two excellent starts against the Mets this year:

On June 7 in San Diego, he threw 7 innings, allowing no runs, striking out 6, walking none, and allowing a double to Escobar and a single to Marte.



On July 22 in New York, Darvish matched up with Scherzer and won. 7 innings. 1 run, 4 hits. 9 Ks, 1 walk. Marte had 2 singles, Alonso one, and Guillorme had an RBI double.



Darvish also had a pretty good start against the Mets in 2021, but the starting lineup had Lindor, James McCann (hitting third), Taijuan Walker, and 6 other guys who aren't on the Mets now. McCann did hit a two-run homer off Darvish.



If we're looking for silver linings, Darvish's splits this year show that he's got an ERA almost a run better at home than on the road.

[Edgy MD]

So, half the 2022 Met hits against Darvish have come from Marte.



If they can't activate him, they might do well to bring him aboard as a consultant.

[MFS62]

I remember a picture (baseball card?) of Steve Garvey, wearing that brown lettered Padre Uniform, with a smirk on his face.

It pissed me off.

It still does.



LGM!

Later

[Edgy MD]

Also not expected to see much action in the upcoming series.

[Benjamin Grimm]

These comparisons have become a standard way to preview a postseason series, but it's a facile and pointless way to compare two teams. How often does a series come down to who has the best left fielder? But here it is anyway. It at least gives us a chance to learn a little about the Padres.



https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-padres-position-by-position-2022-wild-card-series-breakdownPadres-Mets Position-by-Position Breakdown



(Mets determined to be better in eight of eleven areas! We can't lose!)

[Fman99]

Jurickson Profar is their LF. I bet he's an asshole !

[Lefty Specialist]

Darvish has a sister named Mee and a dog named Boo.

[Centerfield]

Josh Hader wasn't having a great year before the trade, but has been worse since he got to SD. Hopefully that keeps up.