
A look ahead After starting the season with seven straight road games, the Padres return to San Diego for their home opener against Atlanta on Monday, April 12 at 3:35 p.m. The Padres are 4-2 all-time in openers at Petco Park. The Padres game against the Braves starts a nine-game homestand that includes National League West rivals San Francisco (April 16-18) and Arizona (April 19-21). After a six-game road trip at Cincinnati and Florida, San Diego concludes the month at home against Milwaukee (April 29-May 1). Spring training The Padres finished 2010 spring training with an 18-10 record, third best in the Cactus League. They were unbeaten (9-0-2) in their final 11 preseason games. Starting rotation is a high five San Diego will go with a five-man rotation to start the season with righties Jon Garland, Chris Young, Kevin Correia, Mat Latos and lefty Clayton Richard. The only newcomer in the rotation is Garland, who came to San Diego in January after signing a one-year, $4.7 million free-agent deal. Garland pitched for the Dodgers and Diamondbacks last season. Enberg new voice of the Padres While the Padres build around young talent, they will have a legend in the broadcast booth. La Jolla resident Dick Enberg will call nearly 120 Padres games on Channel 4SD this season. By the numbers – 50 If the spring was any indication, look for the Padres to be more active on the base paths this season. The Friars stole an MLB-leading 50 bases during spring training, with outfielders Luis Durango and Will Venable tied for the team lead with nine apiece. San Diego stole 82 bases all of last season, 20th in baseball. BOX – Padres starters C – Nick Hundley 1B – Adrian Gonzalez 2B – David Eckstein SS – Everth Cabrera 3B – Chase Headley CF – Tony Gwynn LF – Kyle Blanks RF – Will Venable