The Padres will not be complete until Ha-Seong Kim is returning from his shoulder injury, but Wednesday’s lineup is their best yet since their resurgence after the All-Star break:
For the first time since June 21, all four All-Star bats will be in the lineup as the Padres resume their series against the Detroit Tigers.
Wednesday’s first pitch is at 6:40 p.m.
After a day off on Monday, Jurickson Profar is back in the lineup and in the three-hole as Fernando Tatis Jr. will bat second behind the designated hitter Luis Arráez.
It’s Darvish Day 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kKyqAWmZbJ
– San Diego Padres (@Padres) 4 September 2024
Profar started the All-Star Game in left field, and Tatis would have been in that lineup had he not suffered a stress reaction in his right thigh. Arraez sat out the game to protect his thumb, while center fielder MichaelJackson was selected as reserve.
Merrill will bat seventh and play center field on Thursday, the last time the Padres have had all four in the lineup since Tatis left the game on June 21. He went on the injured list after that but returned Monday, going 0-for-4 on a day that saw Profar benched for the first time since June 22.
Until Tatis’ return on Monday, the Padres still managed a 38-21 record. They have a half-game lead over the Diamondbacks in the race for the NL’s top wild-card spot.
Wednesday also marks Yu Darvish’s Return to the rotation as he starts a game for the first time since May 29. As with all of his 11 starts this season, Luis Campusano stands behind the plate and bats eighth.
To make room for the left-hander Darvish Tom Cosgrove was sent back to Triple-A El Paso.
Here’s how the Tigers (70-69) will line up for Game 2:
Game two in SD ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/afpoqDPVYs
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) 4 September 2024
The pitching duel on Wednesday
Tigers RHP Keider Montero (4-6, 5.17 ERA)
The 24-year-old rookie has allowed 13 home runs and a 1.35 WHIP in his first 69⅔ innings in the major leagues. He is averaging 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Montero has made three good starts in 13 appearances, but has not finished above fifth in any of his last four starts (4.05 ERA).
For Montero, this is his first appearance against a player from the Padres roster.
Padres RHP Yu Darvish (4-3, 3.20 ERA)
The 38-year-old is making his first start since May 29, having been sidelined by a groin and elbow injury as well as time spent on the restricted list for personal reasons. Darvish has allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts (8⅔ IP). Darvish has a 3.35 ERA in eight career starts against the Tigers, the last in 2022 (7 IP, 2 ER).
Only three Tigers have a common past with Darvish:
- INF Zack McKinsey (0 for 4, 3 Ks, HBP)
- FROM Riley Greene (0 for 4, 3 Ks)
- INF Matt Vierling (0 for 2)
Originally published:
