Thirteen games. Thirteen different lineups.
The Padres, are, however, going back to the well in search of a leadoff hitter against the Rockies, who will begin with an opener (right-hander Jimmy Herget) to start a four-game series.
Thursday’s first pitch at Petco Park is at 6:40 p.m.
The Padres’ .369 OPS out of the top of the order is the worst in the majors and well off the league average. They’ve so far used three different leadoff hitters without much success, so they are giving the left-handed-hitting Jake Cronenworth the leadoff job against an apparent bullpen game.
Here is how the Padres’ leadoff hitters have fared so far:
Fernando Tatis Jr.: .143/.182/.190, 22 plate appeararances
Ramón Laureano: .158/.158/.211, 19 plate appearances
Cronenworth: .100/.250/.100, 12 plate appearances
Laureano served as the leadoff hitter the last four games. Cronenworth hasn’t hit atop the order since March 28-31.
No place like home 💛 pic.twitter.com/aKPHyZmCR6
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 9, 2026
Cronenworth hit his first home run on Wednesday and was 3-for-9 with two walks in Pittsburgh.
The Padres (6-6) believe the things that will make him a good bottom-of-the-order hitter to turn a lineup over for Tatis and Co. will serve him well atop the order, especially when he gets on track.
“He does a really good job working the working the opposing pitcher, right from the start, sees a lot of pitches, fouls a lot of pitches off,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “Has the ability to come back to dugout and give a good report on what the guy’s got, what the pitches are looking like. …
“Just having Croney up at the top gives us that little expert, really good at bat to start off the game.”
Tatis will hit second, followed by center fielder Jackson Merrill and third baseman Manny Machado. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will hit fifth, followed by Gavin Sheets in his first start of the year in left field, designated hitter Nick Castellanos, first baseman Ty France and catcher Freddy Fermin.
Laureano is out of the lineup following a two-hit day to close what had been a difficult road trip (.148/.179/.185).
The Rockies (6-6) will counter with this lineup:
How we’re lining up in San Diego 😤 pic.twitter.com/ju1h1ZZVsZ
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2026
Thursday’s pitching matchup
Rockies RHP Jimmy Herget (0-0, 1.50 eRA)
The Rockies used an opener for this spot last week, too, as they are making do without LHP Jose Quintana (hamstring). Herget has struck out six over six innings of one-run ball across fie appearances this season. Herget has a 4.38 ERA in 12⅓ career innings against the Padres. He allowed six runs in seven innings across six appearances last year.
Padres RHP Randy Vásquez (1-0, 0.75 ERA)
He has an 11-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in turning in back-to-back quality starts (12 IP) to start the season. Vásquez has a 4.30 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies, including winning all three of last year’s starts (2.00 ERA).
Here is how he has fared against current Rockies:
