Report: Daisuke Matsuzaka Wants to Play for Padres, Likes Petco Park

by Doug Kyed on Sat, Nov 24, 2012 at 10:11PM

Daisuke Matsuzaka wants to pitch in San Diego, and why wouldn’t he?

The free agent and former Red Sox pitcher said he likes the city of San Diego and Petco Park specifically, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Not only is San Diego one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, but it’s also home to one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in Major League Baseball. Matsuzaka pitched at Petco during the 2008 World Baseball Classic.

The Padres’ park was the fifth most pitcher-friendly in baseball in 2012, and the third most in 2011, according to ESPN’s MLB park factors.

Matsuzaka has struggled in his six-year MLB career. Last season he had a 1-7 record with an 8.28 ERA and 1.708 WHIP in 11 starts after returning from Tommy John surgery.

Matzuzaka’s best season came in 2008 — his second in the league — when he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 154 strikeouts. Even that season came with its fair share of warnings, though. Matsuzaka had to pitch himself out of trouble often as he led the league with 94 walks.