Pitching & Defense
My laziness, (sigh) I’m so sorry for not blogging for a really long time. It is awful, but I totally will start blogging more, I PROMISE. It’s just been hard, I went to Wisconsin for two weeks this month, got home, but i know that’s not an excuse. Anyway, it’s time to start blogging more. starting….. NOW!
The Padres currently lead the NL West by 3 1/2 games over the Dodgers. They are 16 games over .500 with a record of 49-33. They are an example of why, still, even in the days of 9-8 games, tape measure home runs, pitching and defense still wins championships. Incredible. Some facts: They are hitting .245 as a team, ranked 14th in the NL. They have hit 58 home runs, also ranked 14th in the NL. on base percentage is .317, and their slugging percentage is .362. Those are all near the bottom of the pack in the NL, yet, they are tied for the best record in the NL, and have the 2nd best record in the NL.
Now, the pitching stats. They have a 3.05 ERA, best in the big leagues. They have 12 shutouts, also the most in the big leagues. They’ve walked 259 batters, second least to the Cardinals. All of this said, if you have the pitching, you don’t need to score 5, 6 runs a game to get wins.
Defense stats? Well, they have committed 32 errors, second least to the Reds, who have committed 31. Their fielding percentage is .990, which is tied with the Reds for the best in the NL.
This ballclub is absolutely incredible. Sure, they don’t score 7 runs a game and have a batting average of .300, but they play the game the right way, and are fundamentally sound. Also, they never give up. Whether they’re down 12-2 or up 12-2, they never give away an at-bat, no matter what.
Now, switching subjects to the all star game, the Padres had a few snubs. Adrian Gonzalez made the All Star team as a reserve, as expected, he deserves it. 
But the Padres pitching staff leads the league in ERA, as you read earlier, but don’t have one pitcher in the all star game. Mat Latos is 9-4 with a 2.62 ERA, and has held hitters to a .192 average, and is very deserving of a all star appearance.
Heath Bell has an ERA under 2, leads the league with 23 saves, and didn’t make it. He is on the final vote ballot though, so I hope he makes it on that. 
There are a couple positives to no Padres being selected, though. They get some much needed rest, which is big. Also, it will keep them motivated to keep playing at a high level, and who can’t use a little motivation?
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I’m so excited to watch this ballclub right now. Every game, they give it their all, no matter what. They get barely any national recognition, but they don’t care. They just go to every game with the same thought process: get timely hitting, field the ball, and pitch. What a ballclub.
The Padres have an off day today, as they head to Washington to play a 3 game series vs. the Nationals starting on Tuesday.
LET’S DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO PADRES!!!
The Friar Faithful 
The Padres have been surprising everyone all season. Great job by them being in first place! Should be an interesting second half.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Hey man, I’ve been gone for a while now too, so I definitely know how it feels to get overwhelmed while trying to write a blog. I have to say though, you do a great job of it. I also have to say that I’ve been very surprised bb=y the Padres, and I really do like how they play the game. I too think that Latos fully deserves an All-Star spot as well. I also think Bell does for sure, but I don’t think he’ll get it, because somehow Joey Votto also ended up on the final vote, when he totally deserves to be at least a reserve. So Bell will have some trouble beating out Votto for that last spot, although if Votto had been picked in the first place (as he should have), then Heath Bell would earn himself an All-Star spot.
Anyways, nice post and keep up the good work.
-Fenway Bleacher Creature
http://the3rs.mlblogs.com/
AG,
I was shocked that no Padre was selected. I think Bell should be there.
Besides Ethier, I think Jonathan should not go so he can rest. Kuo for the Dodgers has been unhitable and he should go before Jonathan. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Jonathan Broxton but frankly I prefer our pitchers to take the rest.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com
I agree the Friars got snubbed a bit. That bullpen is killer too don’t forget. Can’t get ’em all in there though.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Latos not in the game!? Biggest snub. And he isn’t even up for the final man vote? Not right. Bell should be there. I bet that one of those guys will get in as soon as somebody gets hurt.
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/
I am so happy that Heath got in without the vote! He totally deserves to be there, and this way he’ll get to be a representative for our pitching staff. GO PADRES!
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
Got to say that after watching the Padres here in InterLeague, they possess a might fine pitching staff and might just need some minimal tweaking to stay atop the NL West.
But it is great to see another “small budget” team get their due via the farm system to bring up quality player withyout a lot of quantity dollars going out the door.
It is going to bew fun this Summer catching the standing every day and seeing the Padres again sitting in the catbird’s seat in such a competitve division.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Everyone had you guys written off a long time ago. I hope they all wrote that in pencil. Pads are doing a very nice job. Where is all that trade Gonzo talk now?
mike
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
Latos is deserving of an All star spot! Sorry for all the snubs! It’s ridiculous how they treat the west as if we are inferior to the east 😦 Much love to your first place Pads!
Ooh and congrats to Heath Bell!
http://mimi.mlblogs.com