"You better be in shape," said Balsley. "And if you've got a really good slider, it's going to work for you on a day like this."
I thought about Balsley's words Sunday morning as Padres Social Hour host Jesse Agler and I were discussing that afternoon's Padres game in Arlington, Texas. It was going to bet hot and humid. And going for the Padres was a pitcher with one of the best sliders in the Major Leagues.
And the way Tyson Ross pitched in the Padres' final game before the All-Star break make Balsley's words prophetic.