{"id":260118,"date":"2026-04-09T23:02:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/260118\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T23:02:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:02:08","slug":"jake-cronenworth-back-atop-lineup-ramon-laureano-sits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/260118\/","title":{"rendered":"Jake Cronenworth back atop lineup, Ram\u00f3n Laureano sits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thirteen games. Thirteen different lineups.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s first pitch at Petco Park is at 6:40 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Padres\u2019 .369 OPS out of the top of the order is the worst in the majors and well off the league average. They\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

Here is how the Padres\u2019 leadoff hitters have fared so far:<\/p>\n

Fernando Tatis Jr.: .143\/.182\/.190, 22 plate appeararances
\nRam\u00f3n Laureano: .158\/.158\/.211, 19 plate appearances
\nCronenworth: .100\/.250\/.100, 12 plate appearances<\/p>\n

Laureano served as the leadoff hitter the last four games. Cronenworth hasn\u2019t hit atop the order since March 28-31.<\/p>\n

No place like home \ud83d\udc9b pic.twitter.com\/aKPHyZmCR6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Cronenworth hit his first home run on Wednesday and was 3-for-9 with two walks in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said. \u201cHas the ability to come back to dugout and give a good report on what the guy\u2019s got, what the pitches are looking like. \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cJust having Croney up at the top gives us that little expert, really good at bat to start off the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Laureano is out of the lineup following a two-hit day to close what had been a difficult road trip (.148\/.179\/.185).<\/p>\n

The Rockies (6-6) will counter with this lineup:<\/p>\n

How we’re lining up in San Diego \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/ju1h1ZZVsZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

Rockies RHP Jimmy Herget (0-0, 1.50 eRA)\u00a0<\/p>\n

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 12\u2153 career innings against the Padres. He allowed six runs in seven innings across six appearances last year.<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Randy V\u00e1squez (1-0, 0.75 ERA)<\/p>\n

He has an 11-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in turning in back-to-back quality starts (12 IP) to start the season. V\u00e1squez has a 4.30 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies, including winning all three of last year\u2019s starts (2.00 ERA).<\/p>\n

Here is how he has fared against current Rockies:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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