Even before the Padres bullpen was called on to get 19 outs Monday, Eric Lauer was going to enter his second start of the season with a singular overriding goal.
Same as for all his starts this season.
Lauer and Joey Lucchesi are the most experienced of the Padres starters, the ones who have worked on four days rest over a long period and know the rigors of a major league season. Unlike Chris Paddack and Matt Strahm, Lauer and Lucchesi have no health considerations. The two left-handers are expected to carry a big load.
“They told us at the end of the year last year it’s not like they want us to be 200-inning guys, they need us to be 200-inning guys,” Lauer said.