I kinda want to root for the Giants, but I also want Sabean to fall on his face again. Conflict!

I enjoyed hearing some Giants announcers (I think on the radio) talking about Jose Guillen's potential impact on the team's offense, while also mentioning that he was playing through some lingering leg injury. Never mind Sabes picking up this dope when he already has 4 servicable outfielders (tho calling Burrell's glovework "servicable" is stretching things); you'd think Bochy would know enough to not play a guy if he's hurting & he has better, healthier options on the bench.

The Padres lost six straight games and the Giants only gained a couple games in the standings. I (as a Padre fan) view this as a good sign.

As a Padre's fan, I will view this as a hopeful sign, not necessarily a good one

What's up with the Pads? I confess to having seen them play almost not at all this year. I can't stay up for West Coast games and have missed most of their games with the Braves, who I follow. Are they for real and this is just a "routine" slump? Or was it all a fluke and they're coming back to normal?

They've lost 7 games against 2 suddenly hot teams (4 vs. AZ, 3 vs. PHI). So I'd say it's more of a slump, probably.
That being said, their schedule is really tough in September...

I have posted 3 or 4 times this year that at some point, the Padres would have a bad streak. Everyone does, and it is not like they are some juggernaut. But as a couple of people have said, they have lost six straight and still have a four-game lead, so I think they are in good shape. Caveat: I also have expected Colorado (my preseason pick to win the National League pennant) to put together one 15-2 type-run, and I still think that could happen.

Edit: three-game lead. I will stick with the point, though.

No shame in losing to a powerhouse team from a huge market with a payroll almost 50% higher than yours.

I have posted 3 or 4 times this year that at some point, the Padres would have a bad streak. Everyone does, and it is not like they are some juggernaut.

Yeah, but you've also posted 3 or 4 times this year that the Reds would be reined in by TLR's Cards. I suspect you're pretty happy to have missed on that one.

suspect you're pretty happy to have missed on that one.

Sure, but the season is not over. These things can change quickly.

8 games in the NL Central. It can change quick, but that one is looking over.

8 games in the NL Central. It can change quick, but that one is looking over.

Sure. But after the Cardinals swept the Reds, the picture looked a lot different. Since then, it has turned around completely. It can again.

At this point, I think the Reds will win by 3-4 games or so. The Reds' run differential is +97, and St. Louis' is +86. PYTH is only one number, and I think Chapman will give the pen a nice boost. But I don't think the Reds will just cruise to an easy division title.

The Padres' RD is +109. SF is at +69 and COL is +38. OTOH, Lincecum pitched well yesterday; if he can right himself and have a hot month, that could put SF right there. Kung Fu Panda might get really hot as well. But IMO the Padres will hold on.

All that said, I caught most of the weekend series when the Phillies were here in SD, and (like many people) if all the Phillies' stars are healthy, I would still pick them to win the NL Pennant if they are in the playoffs, even if they make it as the WC.