Pennant Fever

So, the Padres have won the NL West flag for the second year in a row. Today's victory was a little too close for comfort, but I'll take it.

About five months ago, I wrote:

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.

It looks as though Klesko won't be returning; Gonzalez has staked a solid claim on first base. Castilla is already gone; Russell Branyan has become the regular at third, but I don't see him as a long-term answer either. There'll be offseason activity there... The Piazza/Bard tandem will probably continue behind the plate; Piazza's season has been surprisingly good, and Bard has spelled him well - well enough that the Padres traded Kottaras for David Wells.

Next up: the playoffs, starting with the Cardinals. We'll see what happens...