In this column, I will analyze that player’s statistics against the Friars and try to offer some insight on how not to let that player beat our beloved team. 

The Padres are on a roll.  Not only did the Padres manage to knock the Los Angeles Dodgers out of first place in the National League West in their most recent series, but they are also 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Now, the Padres will look to continue their winning ways as they take on the inferior Houston Astros in a four game series at PetcoPark.

With the trade of Carlos Lee to the Miami Marlins it was hard to come up with a Padre Killer for the baby Astros.

Chris Snyder comes through with an RBI single in the first inning against the Cardinals Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Although Astros catcher Chris Snyder doesn’t posses Padre Killer type numbers, he has played against the Padres more than any other Astros player. His familiarity against the Padres makes him a Padre Killer.

Since he doesn’t have the numbers to kill the Padres, I’d go ahead and challenge him. Make Snyder hit the Padres’ best pitch. I would imagine if he did hit it, it wouldn’t go far. Now, I hope Snyder doesn’t read these comments and gets mad because we don’t need him to start hitting the ball.

Statistics Courtesy of: Baseball Reference

Carlos Lee blasts Home run against brewers Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

The Padres will be glad to see the Astros get out of the National League because that means they won’t have to face “El Caballo” as much as they do now.

Carlos Lee has always been a pain in the Padres side, and the Padres should expect Lee to continue the pain this series.

Lee is a Padre Killer, just look at his statistics versus the Friars:

Lee is almost destined to kill the Padres even more at Minute MaidPark where the term home-field advantage actually applies to him. In 421 career games atMinuteMaidPark, Lee owns a career .303 batting average with 77 home runs, 296 RBI and a .514 slugging percentage.

The way to beat Lee is to pound him in. I’d brush him back a few times. Don’t let him crowd the plate. I would pound the inside part of the plate with fastballs and challenge Lee to turn on it. Pitching inside is the way to get Lee out.