Miller loses scoreless streak, but Padres hold on for the win over Chicago

Taking the mound

Edward Cabrera (CHC) v. Walker Buehler (SD)

Cabrera has gotten off to an incredible start with his new club. After being traded to Chicago this offseason from the Miami Marlins, Cabrera was viewed as a significant upgrade for a Cubs starting rotation that desperately needed some impact starters. He’s been exactly that thus far, posting a 2.73 ERA across 29 2/3 innings pitched. That being said, he’s struggled in his last few starts, giving up a total of 11 runs in his last 18 innings. He’s given up three or more earned runs in each of his last three outings. If the Padres can get to Cabrera’s elite changeup, or wait on a secondary pitch to hit, they’ll be able to at least score some runs to give Buehler a cushion. Speaking of the righty, Buehler has been woefully inconsistent to say the least. He’s struggled to a 5.75 ERA, vacillating between giving up four-plus runs and pitching a scoreless six innings. It’s difficult to say which version the Friar Faithful will get tonight. Buehler has been hurt by this Cubs lineup before, so he’ll have to turn it up a notch and return to form tonight if the Padres are hoping to stay in the game.

Batter up!

Jake Cronenworth was out of yesterday’s lineup on a rest day. His bat has been *incredibly* quiet lately. But the lefty owns a .429 career batting average versus Cabrera. Perhaps tonight’s matchup might heat up his offense. But, beyond that, it’s probably business as usual:

1. Ramón Laureano, LF
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
3. Jackson Merrill, CF
4. Xander Bogaerts, SS
5. Gavin Sheets, 1B
6. Miguel Andujar, DH
7. Ty France, 3B
8. Luis Campusano, C
9. Jake Cronenworth, 2B Machado had a hot weekend in Mexico City, slugging two home runs in Sunday’s series finale. He kept that up last night with a 3-for-4 night against the Cubs. But he exited last night with an apparent leg injury. Manager Craig Stammen said that they took him out as a precaution but they may give him an off day anyways. France took over for him at the hot corner and handled it quite well. He also has been on a tear lately, with two homers and a .333 batting average in his last seven games. Last night, France went 2-for-3 with a triple and recorded four RBI. He’s been fighting for a spot on the roster with the possibility of Sung-Mun Song being called up from Triple-A any day. So far, though, his bat has been *loud*.

Relief corps

Stammen used all three of his highest-leverage pitchers last night to get through the final four innings. Vásquez stumbled but came through for five full innings. So Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam combined for three innings before Miller was trusted with the ninth in a non-save situation. It’s a shock Stammen didn’t get ejected for the first time in his managerial tenure with San Diego. His arguing of the foul call seemed quite close, though the skipper has been known to keep a very level head even in high-stress moments like that one. The Padres came close to losing last night’s game, though it never felt that way. With Miller on the mound, it never feels uncertain — and that’s a tough thing to find in the game of baseball. Regardless of how that final inning shook out, today is a new day. And the Friars have plenty of options to turn to. Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez are the first guys available out of the ‘pen. The latter four combined to give up 10 runs (and the game) to the D-backs on Sunday’s loss. They’ll be hoping for a bounce back performance tonight against Chicago, as will the Friar Faithful.