The Padres have been mediocre this season, but they’ve done one thing consistently well – closing out road trips with a victory in their final game.  In fact, San Diego has done that on every road trip but one since the beginning of May.  And, following back-2-back losses in this series in Milwaukee, it’s clear that the team is focused on splitting the series today and heading home with a winning record on their road trip.  Interim manager Pat Murphy following last night’s loss: "It would make a big difference to come out tomorrow and redirect this kind of momentum, have some fun, win a ballgame, go home 6-4 (on the trip)."

It’s not like the Padres have been playing bad baseball in recent weeks.  There was no firesale in San Diego at the trading deadline, as GM AJ Preller stood pat – the GM wasn’t ready to pull the plug on the Padres offseason spending spree.  With six consecutive series against sub .500 teams, Preller thought his team could make a move towards the top of the Wild Card standings.  And they have.  Prior to the last two losses here in Milwaukee, the Padres had gone 8-2 in their previous ten games, while averaging more than six runs per game offensively.  Second baseman Jedd Gyorko:  “Having balance up and down the lineup is huge. When we're all clicking everyone saw what we are capable of (in their 13 run outburst on Monday).”  It’s surely worth noting that cleanup hitter Justin Upton was back in the lineup last night after sitting out Tuesday’s game

Milwaukee is just 2-5 on their current home stand and 4-11 in their last 15 overall, a bad team in the midst of another disappointing campaign.  Starter Matt Garza is just 2-7 in ten previous home starts this season, and he’s thrown only one dominant outing since his first start in June; struggling with both walks and high pitch counts.  The Brewers have slept in all year, a bottom three team in baseball in winning percentage for day games (14-25 on the season).  I’m not expecting them to change their stripes this afternoon.  Take the Padres.