Padres pregame: Ryan Weathers returns to face Cubs

Ryan Weathers is starting Wednesday because Joe Musgrove isn’t.

“It’s more about keeping Joe on six days more than anything else,” acting manager Ryan Flaherty said Tuesday night of the decision to bring Weathers up to fill the hole in the rotation created by Mike Clevinger being on the COVID injured list.

The Padres have gotten into a good rhythm with their starters working on five and six days of rest. And while they considered having Musgrove coming back to start after four days for the first time since May 1, they ultimately went with the 22-year-old Weathers.

At one time the Padres’ second-ranked pitching prospect, Weathers began last season in the major leagues and had a 2.73 ERA through his first 18 games (12 starts, 62 2/3 innings). He finished with a 5.62 ERA.

In Triple-A this year, the left-hander’s velocity has occasionally been slightly down, and his pitches have not been consistently sharp. He has a 7.29 ERA in 12 starts (54 1/3 innings). That said, the Pacific Coast League is a difficult place to pitch. Altitude and dry air tend to enhance offense and inflate pitching numbers. Reiss Knehr had a 7.84 ERA when he was recalled last week and threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief Saturday against the Rockies.

The Cubs are in far worse shape with their starting pitching. Veterans Drew Smyly (oblique), Marcus Stroman (shoulder) and Wade Miley (shoulder) are on the injured list.

Right-hander Caleb Kilian will make his second career start Wednesday. In his major league debut on June 4, the 25-year-old Kilian allowed the Cardinals three runs in five innings.

Here is the lineup he will face:

Manny Machado is still looking for his 1,500th career hit after going 0-for-5 Tuesday. He has gone hitless in consecutive games just five times this season.

Weathers made back-to-back starts against the Cubs last June, going five innings each time. He allowed four runs in the first game and three in the second. Willson Contreras, who is 11-for-17 with a double and three home runs against the Padres this season, was 2-for-6 with a double and a homer off Weathers last year.

Here is the Cubs’ lineup: