Brewers - Padres Series Preview: Talking with Gaslamp Ball

The Brewers start their 10 game West coast swing today with a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, who have had a surprisingly good start to their year.


2009 record vs. Padres: 1-3, 15 runs scored, 16 runs allowed

Milwaukee Probable Starters (in order)

• Doug Davis (2009 splits vs. Padres: 4 GS 2-0, 2.45 ERA, 25.2 IP, 7 ER, 1 HR allowed, 16 BB, 22 SO) 
• Dave Bush (did not face San Diego in 2009)
• Yovani Gallardo (did not face San Diego in 2009)
• Randy Wolf (2009 splits vs. Padres: 4 GS 1-1, 3.04 ERA, 23.2 IP, 8 ER, 1 HR allowed, 7 BB, 20 SO)

San Diego Probable Starters (in order)

• Wade LeBlanc (2010 stats: 1-0, 0.82 ERA, 10 SO; did not face Milwaukee in 2009)
  
• Clayton Richard (2010 stats: 0-2, 3.75 ERA, 15 SO; 2009 splits vs. Brewers: 3 GS, 1-0, 2.70 ERA, 11 SO, 8 BB, 3 HR allowed)
• Mat Latos (2010 stats: 1-2, 6.20 ERA, 13 SO; did not face Milwaukee in 2009)
• Jon Garland (2010 stats:  2-2, 2.57 ERA, 20 SO; 2009 splits vs. Brewers: 1 GS, 0-0, 2.84 ERA, 5 SO, 0 BB, 0 HR allowed)

Despite Rubie Q jinxing the series previews by pointing our record prior to the Cubs series, this one will once again have questions from the other side of the matchup. I sent some questions to Jbox at Gaslamp Ball to get the series going. Make sure you check out their half here. 

Follow the jump for Prince and Adrian Gonzalez, retro looks, announcers and the Padres answer to Ben Sheets.

BCB: Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder are often mentioned in the same breath when discussing upcoming contract negotiations. It's highly unlikely that Milwaukee will be able to offer Prince Fielder the money he and his agent Scott Boras will want. What's the status for Gonzalez? Though most Milwaukee fans have the pipe dream of keeping Fielder, deep down we know its highly unlikely and probably not a good move for the club. Where do Padre fans come down on the issue?

It does seem to be a pretty similar situation. Everybody would love to have Adrian stay in San Diego, but most Padres fans know that there is no way the team can sign him beyond his contract.  Gonzalez made it clear in Spring Training that he wants to win and to get paid his fair market value, he won't be taking the San Diego discount.  He is currently under contract through 2011, so the Padres do not need to trade him right away, but if the team can stay in the divisional race they may be able to keep him through the remainder of the season.  The amount of time he has left with the Padres depends on the club's standing and the package they would receive in return from interested teams.

BCB: Do you want Trevor Hoffman back? Most Brewers fans are ready to ship him off to the first team to trade us a bag of bats. We'll even throw in the sign we have hanging to countdown to 600 saves - we'll even throw in the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0.

Our heart says yes, we'd want Hoffman back, but only for reasons of nostalgia.  I can't honestly say that he is a better closer than Heath Bell at this point in his career.

BCB:vAre you still happy to have lil' Tony Gwynn on your roster? Brewer fans weren't too impressed with his low batting average and were happy to see the back of him - he was never going to get a starting spot in Milwaukee. Are you happy with his output or is he still coasting on the love you all have for his dad?

I think this is where a lot of Padres fans are split.  His last name definitely carries some weight around this city and because of that he is a fan favorite, but it is also his burden.  The main benefit for Gwynn in San Diego is that he does get consistent playing time so we'll see how he can perform over the course of a full season.

BCB: Dick Enberg retired from national broadcast duties to become the voice of the Padres. Are you happy to have him? Has his presence had any effect? We in Milwaukee know a bit about epic radio voices - do you think Enberg could reach Uecker status?

Padres fans still consider our radio broadcaster Jerry Coleman the "Voice of the Padres". Like Ueker he's our Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick award winner and has been broadcasting Padres games since 1972.  Dick Enberg has been doing an adequate job behind the mic thus far.  He's new to the Padres but fans have a familiarity with him from broadcasting other sports.  My main criticism with him is his home run call "Touch 'em all!" that he uses for opponents as well as the Padres, it sounds contrived.  Enberg is a true professional but it takes time to settle in with a new team and to be accepted by the fans.  He didn't have the opportunity to call any Spring Training games to work out the kinks, because of other commitments, so he's been learning on the job.  It sounds like he's becoming more comfortable with each passing day.

BCB: In Milwaukee the retro "ball and glove" logo holds a lot of sway with the fans, but the current team isn't too fond of running out the old throwback jerseys. There's such a difference between that yellow and brown look the Pads sported in the 80s and the sand and navy they wear now. Are fans attached to the retro look? What about the players?

Padres fans overwhelming favor a return to the Padres classic yellow and brown colors, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be in the Padres future.  New Padres ownership have not budged on their stance to stay with the current colors, but they have started "Throwback Thursdays" where the team wears retro-uniforms and the ballpark only plays organ music, it's great.

BCB: The "ad" on the right hand side of Padres.com tells fans to vote Padres for the All-Star Game and lists David Eckstein as the candidate for 1B. Explain

I think it's a safety net, so that we have a first basemen on the ballot in case the Padres trade Adrian Gonzalez before the All Star Game.  It's pretty smart if you think about it.

BCB: Chris Young sounds like San Diego's version of Ben Sheets - tons of potential constantly sidelined by somewhat marginal injuries. Sheets became too much of an injury liability to hang a lengthy, expensive contract on. Are you all still looking to make Young a part of your rotation for years to come? Is there a line at which he will become more trouble/money/hittable than you'd want?

I doubt that Chris Young will stay beyond his current contract.  Young is a good pitcher when healthy, but he hasn't been in the last couple of years.  Unfortunately even if he can pitch again this year, I don't think the Padres could get much for him in a trade.