As the first third of the season winds up, San Diego finds itself in rarified air, sitting atop the LaRussa Division with a stellar 32-19 record. Decent pitching and exquisite hitting have fueled this rise, and local fans are hoping this is a long-term mark of the franchise.
Free agent pickup, 1b Shannon Chase, is one of the main reasons the Hops are hopping. With a team leading 11 homers and 48 rbis, he has solidified the middle of the batting order. Two young outfielders, Kyle Reader and Badry Makaev, are tagging the horsehide at a ridiculous clip, Makaev with an average of .364, and Reader clocking in at .322, just behind catcher Antonio Rojas' .327. Overall the team is third in the league in hitting at .308.
Pitchers are also contributing, starters are fifth in league ERA, and the bullpen leads the league. Mills, much maligned the last two seasons, is 7-1, while Downing leads the league in saves with 14.
Hopes are high in Hop land, and if all goes like the first third, a playoff spot is not unheard of.
