I bought my tickets to game 2 of the NLDS this week.  Toyota Terrace, right field side.  As sweet as it would be to instantly get $100 deposited into my account for an unplayed game, I doubt that will happen.  Ho-hum, I guess I'll have to find a babysitter. 

The Padres will not only make the playoffs, but they will win the NL West. Why, you say?  Funny you should ask....

1) The pre-weekend opponents.  The Padres have the Cubs, who they swept in Wrigley Field and who have lost 4 of their last 6.  The only pitcher they will trot out there who doesn't have a losing record is Ryan Dempster, who got lit-up last time out.  I like the prospects of taking 3 of 4 from the Cubbies.   The Giants, on the other hand, get an off day and then host the D-backs, who have won 5 of 6.  They'll at least win one, if not two.

2) Padres rotation.  Latos, as bad as his last few starts have been, will go twice this week: Tuesday and then the final game of the year.  Love that.  Plus, you get two starts out of Tim Stauffer who has been no less than a revelation in the rotation.  The Giants, on the other hand, only get one guy twice, Jonathan Sanchez.  I also want to add that I fully expect the G-men to hold Lincecum back until Friday's series opener... wouldn't you?

3) History.  Okay, this is a bit of a stretch.. but this is the exact same senario as 1996... remember?  Padres were in first most of the year... check.  Padres stumbled down the stretch... check.  Padres went into the last series of the year, on the road, needing to win the series... check.  Padres sweep division rival to win division......

Now, as Jerry Coleman would say, 'that was then, this is now'.  And he's right.  But I personally love symetery, both in art, drama and in life. And baseball is life, after all.

Would I be happy with the Wild Card?  Sure.  But that means you have to play the Phillies, and I'd like to avoid them for as long as possible, thank you very much.  But I'm thinking 5 wins this week wins the divsion... 4 might, or might not.  The key is to take care of the Cubbies, and reduce the stress next weekend.. my heart can't take it.