Shildt Says: Discussing the Rotation and the 5–0 Start and Starting Gurriel and Iglesias
The Padres finished their first tour through the starting rotation with the first 5–0 start in franchise history. As they seek to extend that mark on Tuesday night at Petco Park against Cleveland, Jose Iglesias will make his first start as a Padre at second base with Yuli Gurriel subbing for the red hot Gavin Sheets at designated hitter.
Padres’ manager Mike Shildt opened his pregame media session talking about the rotation:
“I’ve liked the look of the rotation one time through, it’s been favorable,” said Shildt. “Michael (King) is going today. I’m really pleased about Nick Pivetta. The two guys who were fighting for spots have justified their spots.
“Randy Vásquez was clean and really good for six innings the other day against Atlanta. And I thought Kyle (Hart) pitched well yesterday. And Dylan (Cease), I’m always really optimistic when Dylan pitches. But him adding the changeup and the two-seamer to his game along with the riding four-seamer and the elite slider is pretty filthy.
“King will be good tonight. He’ll control counts. He has three or four quality pitches to righties and lefties. Michael is going to be just fine.”
Shildt discussed how the Padres making smart mental plays has helped the 5–0 start:
“Baseball IQ does win,” said Shildt. “Baseball is a game of situations. If you understand the situations and have the talent, which we have as well — it’s a talented league. So, the separation is the ability to go out and play smart, heads-up baseball — to be on point.
“Like I’ve said we have experienced, high-IQ ballplayers who enjoy the game. Manny (Machado’s) play last night was indicative of that. Jake Cronenworth, too.
“I’ve always felt that baseball is like a game of human chess. The pieces are familiar. But the board moves consistently. No two games are alike. You play to the scoreboard and you’re playing to situations. Players who are aware of the situations and can think along with them mentally and physically are pretty big part of it.”
Shildt on Iglesias getting a start at second against a left-handed starter:
“Jose is a guy who has been in the league a long time,” said Shildt. “He’s a well-respected player. He came into the clubhouse and garnered respect. He did a nice job last season with the Mets, playing all over the field and helping that club get to the NLCS.
“We have a lot of regular players that we expect to and want to have play every day. So we haven’t had a chance to get him in here a whole lot. The other day with Manny’s (calf) cramp provided Iglesias an opportunity. But tonight is an opportunity with a day game following a night game to get him in there and play a little bit.”
Shildt on Jason Heyward coming through after a slow start:
“Heyward has been in the league for 16 seasons,” said Shildt. “This is his 14th Opening Day. Everybody has a different lens as to what spring training should be evaluated on. But a guy who has been in the league this long uses spring training to get ready for the season.
“We saw better at-bats at the end of spring training. We saw good at-bats last night. The double was crushed in the gap. Plus, the sacrifice fly. He’s moved runners. He takes professional at-bats.”
Shildt on Sheets getting Tuesday off:
“He’s swinging the bat really well,” said Shildt. “Yuli in the designated hitter spot … he won a World Series and has had a game-winning hit for us. So, we really feel good about who is in there for Gavin. Yuli is ready to go whenever the situation calls for him. This is a good situation.”
Shildt said don’t make too much of Cronenworth getting his first game off against a left-hander:
“He had his homer against a lefty,” said Shildt. “He’s had other big swings against lefties. He’s taken walks against lefties. I’m just seeing an opportunity for a guy (Iglesias) who has been in the league for nine years who is getting an opportunity to play today.”
