What to know about Padres home opener

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After splitting the first two games of the Major League Baseball season against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Seoul, South Korea, the Padres get set for their home opener this week.

MATCHUP

Petco Park will be the site of the Padres and San Francisco Giants Thursday matchup at 1:10 p.m. All gates will open to fans at 11 a.m.

On the Padres side, new manager Mike Shildt will be making his regular season debut at Petco Park. A familiar face will be managing the Giants side as Bob Melvin comes back to San Diego for the first time since leaving the Padres last year.

Petco Park: What’s new to see this season

Here is the projected Padres lineup, according to the team:

Starting pitcher: Yu Darvish

Batting lineup:

1. Xander Bogaerts, 2B

2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF

3. Jake Cronenworth, 1B

4. Manny Machado, DH

5. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

6. Jurickson Profar, LF

7. Luis Campusano, C

8. Tyler Wade, 3B

9. Jackson Merrill, CF

WHAT’S NEW

For foodies, the stadium is offering new places to eat and drink within The Mercado at Petco Park including pizza restaurant Gelati & Peccati, An’s Gelato of An’s Dry Cleaning, a second
San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken location, Spiro’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Nova Brazil Kombucha and WestBrew.

A new and expanded fan entry gate (Balboa Gate) to 9th and J St. will provide an improved entrance, shorter wait times and leveled and tiered lawn seating in Gallagher Square.

Petco Park: What’s new to see this season

The Tony Gwynn Terrace also offers picnic tables for additional seating, a Tony Gwynn
Deck Tower that has a new food and beverage space and videoboard, the Tony Gwynn Tunnel and another Padres retail and food and beverage spot built on the ground level next to the tunnel.

There is also new seating at Petco Park, the Cutwater Agave Club, found along the left field line on the terrace level. It features luxury finishes and access to semi-inclusive food and beverage offerings and private restrooms.

PARKING/PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Fans traveling to the game can park their vehicle in a lot, take public transportation or walk.

Guests looking to find a spot in Padres preferred parking, located next to Petco Park, are advised to pre-purchase their parking to guarantee a space in the lots. Other nearby parking options include Bayfront Hilton Garage, Convention Center Garage, Horton Plaza Garage and 707 Broadway Garage.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System also offers service to the game with its trolley and bus service. Riders have access to all three trolley lines that go to Petco Park every 15 minutes.

Padres home opener: Where to watch, what to do for game

FORECAST

Weather for opening day — and for Friday — looks fair and mild with temperatures topping out in the mid 60s. Winds will come into play on both days as we transition into stronger onshore flow ahead of the weekend storm system. Expect a return of the marine layer each evening near the ballpark.

HOW TO WATCH

The matchup, which starts at 1:10 p.m., will be televised on Padres.TV. Fans can also listen to the game on 97.3 The Fan streamed through the Audacy app.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thursday’s game will be the fifth time the Friars and Giants meet at Petco Park’s opener. San Diego has won all four of those games, most recently a 2-0 victory in 2019, according to the Padres.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.