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stoutfellowWhat is it about the Padres and May? For the second year in a row, after an absolutely miserable April, the Padres have put the hammer down in May. Last year, they went 22-6 (if I recall correctly) in May; this year, they've gone a week-plus since their last loss, sweeping the Giants, Dodgers, and Cubs in consecutive series.
In one sense, I'd like the pattern to repeat. In another, though... Last year, apart from that wonderful May, the Padres were a pitiful team. They won the NL West, to be sure, but they did it with an 82-80 record, which says a lot about the woeful state of the division. They were (deservedly) swept, three straight, in the first round of the playoffs.
I'm still looking at this as a transitional year. I don't expect Klesko at first, Piazza behind the plate, or Castilla at third to return next year, being replaced by Adrian Gonzalez, George Kottaras, and - perhaps - Justin Leone. That will give the Padres a good young infield, since Greene and Barfield have already taken over at short and second. I'd like to see Ben Johnson get a chance in the outfield, but Xavier Nady never did, and Nady was (make that "is" - just ask the Mets!) a better player.
Well, we'll see. I'm just going to enjoy their success, as long as it lasts.
In one sense, I'd like the pattern to repeat. In another, though... Last year, apart from that wonderful May, the Padres were a pitiful team. They won the NL West, to be sure, but they did it with an 82-80 record, which says a lot about the woeful state of the division. They were (deservedly) swept, three straight, in the first round of the playoffs.
I'm still looking at this as a transitional year. I don't expect Klesko at first, Piazza behind the plate, or Castilla at third to return next year, being replaced by Adrian Gonzalez, George Kottaras, and - perhaps - Justin Leone. That will give the Padres a good young infield, since Greene and Barfield have already taken over at short and second. I'd like to see Ben Johnson get a chance in the outfield, but Xavier Nady never did, and Nady was (make that "is" - just ask the Mets!) a better player.
Well, we'll see. I'm just going to enjoy their success, as long as it lasts.
