Can't Help but Notice

When you look at the standings, especially those in the National League, do you double-take?  I know I do.

The Braves, I can see.  In fact, with their pitching talent and an emerging bullpen that could be baseball's best, there's little surprise here.  Granted, the Phillies are still the team to beat in the NL East, but this Atlanta team deserves to make the playoffs, and it looks like they will.  Adding Derrek Lee is as much about building clubhouse morale as anything else after the loss of Braves legend Chipper Jones.  Lee should still have something left in the tank, and could help form a formidable top of the order along with red-hot Omar Infante, sweet-swinging Jason Heyward, and rock-solid Martin Prado.

But how about those Cincinnati Reds?  Few guessed the Cardinals would be challenged in the Central this year.  Those who did guess probably figured the Cubs and Brewers would put up the best fight.  Joey Votto is in a tight race for NL MVP with Albert Pujols and Adrian Gonzalez - of the three first basemen, I think Votto deserves it most.  The Reds lineup has outperformed expectations this year, with guys like Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen, and Johnny Gomes flashing back to their best playing days.  Votto is legitimately this good, and when these pleasant surprises have flaked, Votto's been there to carry the load.  The pitching is young and talented, but will it hold up for a full season?  Bronson Arroyo might be the most reliable arm to ride from here on out, though Johnny Cueto should turn in a few more good starts too.

And then there's the National League's best team, at least by record.  The San Diego Padres are inexplicably unstoppable.  Their major-league best pitching staff is on a roll of late, and as a result, the Pads aren't losing.  But can this really go on?  Are Jon Garland, Clayton Richard, and Wade LeBlanc really top-tier pitchers?  Can Mat Latos remain effective for the rest of the season?  Bud Black looks like a genious right now...will we be singing a different tune in October?  I think the Friars made some smart acquisitions at the deadline, adding two of their best bats in Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Tejada.  They proved how serious they are about winning the division, and their players have bought in.  But my gut is that the pitching will show its true colors come October.  The Padres look to be the team in NL West, but come Playoff season, I think this team makes an early exit, even if they do wrap up home-field advantage.