Padres manager Andy Green will treat the upcoming three-game series with the D-backs, which begins Friday night at 7:40 p.m. at Petco Park, like any other, but for him and Arizona manager Chip Hale there will be something a little extra special about it.
Green spent the 2015 season as Hale's third-base coach before being hired by the Padres, and the men go back even further; Green played for Hale in the Minor Leagues.
Friday is Jackie Robinson Day. Every player in the Major Leagues will wear a No. 42 jersey on Friday in celebration of the 69th anniversary of the Dodgers' Hall of Famer breaking baseball's color barrier.
"In one sense, it's another series," Green said. "But obviously I have a lot of relationships on the other side -- guys I've coached and staff that I've worked with. We have to find a way to solve the puzzle of their starting pitching."
Hale texted Green after the Padres were swept in their opening series against the Dodgers to remind him to keep his head up and wants to see his protégé do well. Except, of course, against the D-backs.
"It'll be fun," Hale said of seeing Green. "It's a long road trip so it's nice to have a little break in the middle and see him. Hopefully his family is doing well."
Things to know about this game
• Zack Greinke will be making his third start for the D-backs. In 12 career starts against the Padres he is 6-1 with a 1.56 ERA.
• James Shields is making his third start of the season. Last year he was 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA in four games against Arizona.
• The Padres are still looking for their first run of the year at Petco Park after being outscored 25-0 in the season-opening series there against the Dodgers. They have been shut out five times in their first 10 games.
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