2011 San Diego Padres Season Preview and Predictions

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The San Diego Padres will have to locate a way to overcome a terrible finish to the 2010 season. The Padres were leading the National League at 76-49 on Aug. 25, but collapsed over the final few weeks, going just 14-23 to finish the year. The Padres ended up finishing second in the West to the San Francisco Giants, who went on to win the Planet Series. San Diego will have to compete this season with out All-Star fist baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded to the Red Sox this past off-season. Nonetheless with a solid beginning rotation and superb defense, San Diego is considered to be a threat to contend in the West once again in 2011. Here is a appear at the Padres opening day starting lineup and beginning rotation, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the season in the West.

Beginning Lineup

It's tough to figure out where San Diego is going to get their run production from without having Gonzalez in the middle of the order. The Padres went out and added very first baseman Brad Hawpe, center fielder Cameron Maybin, second baseman Orlando Hudsun, and shortstop Jason Barlett, but not 1 of these guys had a fine season last year. Hawpe hasn't lived up to the expectations soon after leaving Colorado, and we do not anticipate his stats to increase playing in San Diego. On the other hand, we wouldn't be surprised to see Hudson and Bartlett turn points about, but neither has a lot of power. Maybin could be the one who gives some of that power, who will only be 24 this season.

He hasn't lived up to his possible, but a change of locatiom could be all this kid wants to get hi career going. San Diego is also hoping left fielder Ryan Ludwick can turn points about, who San Diego traded for last season. Ludwick hit just.211 with six house runs and 26 RBIs in 59 games with the Padres, stats he has to increase on if the Padres are going to contend. 1 last player that could surprise this season is correct fielder Will Venable, who was second on the team with 13 residence runs, in spite of playing most of the year with a poor back. Don't expect significantly from the other two starters. Catcher Nick Hundley hit just.249, third baseman Chase Headley has yet to deliver in two full seasons as a starter.

Beginning Rotation

It seems like the Padres continually have 1 of the improved pitching staffs in the league, and we wouldn't be surprised if that was the case once once more this year. The Padre's pitchign staff capabilities two outstanding pichers in Matt Latos and Clayton Richard. Latos went 14-10 with a two.92 ERA, even though Richard went 14-9 with a 3.75 ERA. Each had been a great deal much better than their records indicate, but unless one thing drastic occurs to the Padres offense, its difficult to picture their win totals increasing much this season. San Diego likes what they got out of Tim Stauffer last year.

Stauffer went 6-five with a 1.85 ERA in seven starts and 25 relief appearances, which will need to be sufficient to make him a full-time starter this season. San Diego went out an added Aaron Harang and Dustin Moseley this offseason to positive up the starting rotation. Harang appears to be a huge risk, thinking about he hasn't topped six wins his last three seasons. Moseley on the other hand could surprise as he ought to get pleasure from pitching at PETCO Park compared to throwing for the Yankees in the loaded AL East. San Diego also has choices with Wade LeBlanc and Cory Luebke.

2011 Projections: 3rd Place NL West

The Padres had been a huge surprise last year, thinking about they went just 75-87 in 2009. The pitching staff is outstanding at the leading, but there are concerns at the other 3 spots, plus the offense could be even worse than it was last season. There is still a opportunity the Padres could surprise again, we think they will fall back in the West this year.