Padres Report - September 25th

Padres Report – September 25, 2006

Earlier on Monday I wrote:

Assuming the Padres do win tonight, the Dodgers would have to finish 2 games better than the Padres out of the remaining six (i.e. if the Padres finish 4-2, the Dodgers would need to go 6-0 – or if the Padres went 3-3, the Dodgers would need to go 5-1). I think the Padres will the division, but a win tonight would take a lot of wind out of the Dodgers’ sails.

I do not see the Dodgers catching the Padres now.

SI.com’s John Donovan ranks the AL and NL bullpens among likely playoff participants. San Diego’s get top billing in the NL (Minnesota is #1 in AL).

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Speaking of good bullpens, have you ever seen Pujols swing so uncomfortably at a pitch so close to his belt buckle that he has to let go of his top hand to get it out of the way? Cla Meredith may be banned in multiple states he’s so nasty… Right-handed hitters are “hitting:” .106/.131/.144 against him. Sick!

Sunday the Padres used Meredith in the 7th and 8th innings and Hoffy (obviously) in the 9th. Monday, the Padres used Meredith in the 7th and 8th (Cla came in with one out in the 7th and left with 2 outs in the 8th) and Linebrink to get the final out in the 8th and finish off the Save in the 9th. I’m guessing Meredith gets a much-needed day off on Tuesday.

By the way, Giles & Gonzales went a combined 2-5 with 4 walks, 3 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI, and 0 strike outs. Nice.

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The Padres have a .538 winning percentage and are on pace for 87 wins. On September 21st I wrote, “I think 88 games will definitely win the division and 87 will probably win it.” The Padres are a 4-2 finish from getting 88 wins. 88 wins sounds about right…