Padres VS. Mets: Keys To The Series

1. Back-ups need to step up.

The Padres’ No.3 is out with an injury  for about a month or so. In the meantime, Cody Ransom has to hold down the fort until Chase Headley  gets back from injury. Last year, Headley hit .281 with 31 home runs and 115 RBIs. The Padres’ back-ups Ransom is  forced to replace the production of Headley. If Ransom can put up half the numbers of Headley, then the Friars will win the series.

2. Get on base.

It is Baseball 101. In order for the Padres to win this series against the Mets, they need to find a way to get on base. Put pressure on the opposing pitchers. The Padres were second in all of baseball in stolen bases, and what a great start the 2013 will be if the Padres owned the base paths. If the Padres could get on base, they will win this series.

3. Pitch six innings.

Edinson Volquez, and the rest of the starting staff this series must at least pitch six innings if the Padres expect to beat the Mets. It is way to early in the year to tax the bullpen, so the starting pitching has to preserve the arms down there. It has also been statistically proven that the Padres’ seventh, eight and nineth inning guys  are lights out. If the Padres want to take the series from the Metropolitians, they need to hand the ball to Brad Brach, Luke Gregerson and Huston Street.

4. Hold down David Wright.

Maybe I am under estimating the Mets’ lineup, but other than David Wright, there is not a legitimate threat in the Mets’ lineup. Wright is a Padres killer. In 57 games, Wright has produced a .291 batting average with nine home runs and 38 RBIs. If the Padres are going to beat the Mets, they can’t let David Wright beat them.