Padres pregame: Soto, Bell, Drury set for San Diego debuts

Someday between Sport 1 and Sport 2 on Tuesday, Bob Melvin allowed himself to pencil out his first Juan Soto lineup.

This is strictly what the Padres’ supervisor wrote down for Wednesday’s 6:40 p.m. first pitch.

And it’ll look a bit bit totally different in opposition to Thursday’s left-hander and fairly a bit totally different as soon as Fernando Tatis Jr. returns, doubtless later this month.

“Gave it some thought clearly,” Melvin stated as his gamers filed out of the dugout for stretch and batting follow. “It could transfer round a bit bit. That is the place we’ll begin with at present. A lefty tomorrow, nevertheless it’s a distinct look. We knew that coming into at present and simply excited to get these guys out on the sphere, as a result of they will really feel — and we talked about it after I was speaking to those guys — they will really feel the joy on this ballpark.

“It’s at all times thrilling, nevertheless it’s in all probability going to be taken to a different degree at present and I believe we’ll all really feel that.”

Certainly.

The Juan Soto Period will start in entrance of what’s anticipated to be a sellout crowd.

The 23-year-old proper fielder will bat second in entrance of left fielder Jurickson Profar within the leadoff spot. Third baseman Manny Machado will bat third, adopted by new first baseman Josh Bell, second baseman Jake Cronenworth and Brandon Drury within the sixth gap and at DH for his Padres debut.

Wil Myers will sit after taking part in three video games in two days at first base, extra motion than Melvin would have favored as Myers got here off the injured listing however buying and selling away Eric Hosmer and Luke Voit required it.

Soto has spent most of this season within the two-hole (61 begins, in comparison with 39 within the three-hole). Bell, in the meantime, has begins at clean-up (39), three- (37), five- (21) and two-holes (6), whereas Drury has begins up and down the lineup and at third base (54), second base (16) and first base (5).

Each Drury and Bell have historical past in left and proper area, however Bell has performed simply first base in 2022 and Melvin stated earlier than Wednesday’s sport that Drury isn’t anticipated to be wanted within the outfield, what with Myers’ means to maneuver between first and all three outfield spots.

Myers can also be the one back-up heart fielder as Jose Azocar packed his luggage Wednesday afternoon to move again to Triple-A El Paso.

In a pair weeks, Tatis additionally figures to see a while within the outfield.

So far as what that lineup will appear like, sure, Melvin has considered it (perhaps even written it down someplace in his workplace) however he wasn’t about to provide away spoilers simply but.

Right here is the Rockies’ lineup:

Wednesday’s pitching matchup

Rockies RHP Chad Kuhl (6-6, 4.59 ERA)

He’s 0-1 with eight runs allowed on 15 hits and 9 walks in 9 innings throughout two begins this 12 months in opposition to the Padres, one at Petco Park and one at Coors Area. Kuhl has an 8.71 ERA over his final 5 begins.

Right here’s how Kuhl has fared in opposition to present Padres, together with the most recent additions:

Padres LHP Blake Snell (3-5, 4.43 ERA)

Snell has allowed 11 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings throughout three begins this 12 months in opposition to Colorado.

Right here is how Snell has fared in his profession in opposition to present Rockies: