Padres pregame: Hader primed for ‘more,’ Myers and Bell in lineup
Hader #Hader
Josh Hader first went two innings in his third appearance as a rookie in 2017. He went three innings three weeks later. By the time he was beginning to save games for the Brewers the following April, one-plus was a staple for the lanky left-hander.
One-plus. Two. Two-plus. Even three a few times, including twice in the 2018 NLCS against the Dodgers.
That was the value of Josh Hader.
But that cannot go on forever.
Which is why the 28-year reliever hadn’t recorded more than three outs in an appearance since the 2020 postseason when the Padres finally pried him from Milwaukee in August.
“You don’t want to blow your best bullets early in the season,” Hader said. “You’re not going to win the World Series in May, April, whatever. You’re going to win it when it matters.”
And this is when it matters.
So Hader trotted out of the bullpen with two outs in the eighth of a two-run game Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, fetched a flyball to end inning and worked around Freddie Freeman’s two-out double to record the save.
Hader, of course, was ready for the call.
This is the time.
“He came to me for the postseason and said, ‘I’m ready for a little more,’ ” Padres manager Bob Melvin said.
Added Hader: “You’re going to win a World Series with a team effort. You’re going to have guys step up and in big situations that are going to help you then move forward. I think that’s ultimately where it is just like, you’ve got to run your best bullets out in the postseason and you’ve got to do it the right way.”
It is on that note that we look forward to Game 3 (5:37 p.m. first pitch) as the bullpen, with 9 1/3 scoreless innings so far in the NLDS, figures to play a prominent role Friday.
After all, for all of his second-half success, left-hander Blake Snell has averaged just under 5 2/3 innings over his last 14 starts (2.19 ERA) and lasted just 3 1/3 innings last weekend at Citi Field.
On Thursday, Snell discussed what he learned from the re-watch of that game, his excitement to get the ball on Friday and what’s decidedly different about facing these Dodgers compared to the one’s he dominated in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series.
Which brings us to Snell’s track record against these Dodgers:
Friday’s Dodgers lineup will see Austin Barnes get his first start behind the plate, Trayce Thompson in center field and Max Muncy at second base as Cody Bellinger and Gavin Lux sit. Will Smith will serve as the DH as Justin Turner plays third base.
A first-time All-star, Dodgers RHP Tony Gonsolin (16-1, 2.14 ERA) hit the injured list in late August with a forearm injury and pitched just two innings in his only start since then, allowing one run on three hits. Gonsolin struck out 14 against one walk in 12 2/3 innings (0.71 ER) this year against the Padres, two victories, but has allowed 14 runs in 13 1/3 innings in his career in the postseason. Gonsolin did not face the Padres in the 2020 NLDS.
Here is how he’s fared against current Padres:
As for the Padres, with a right-hander on the mound, left fielder Jurickson Profar will return to the leadoff spot, Josh Bell will serve as the DH and Wil Myers will be at first base over Brandon Drury.
The first base/DH time share is still looking to show up consistently in the postseason as Bell is 3-for-15 with a homer, Myers is 2-for-16 with a homer and Drury is 1-for-11.
They have combined for 16 strikeouts.
Again, Friday’s first pitch is at 5:37 p.m.
Here’s some recommended reading to get you primed for Game 3:
Annie Heilbrunn contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.