Jinx: no thanks

The Padres start the second half of the season with a 5 1/2 lead over Arizona in the NL West. Despite a really poor month, the club still managed to grow its lead over the Snakes by a game. Of course, the Padres have been struggling mightily to overcome injuries which have sidelined regulars Ramon Hernandez, Phil Nevin, Mark Loretta, Dave Roberts and starting pitcher Adam Eaton. All are expected to be returning over the next month.

But the Padres aren't the only ones struggling with injury problems. The Trolleywreck's problems have already been documented in this space. Since then, LA outfielder JD Drew has been lost for the season. The Dogs are now 7 1/2 games off the pace and although they've hung tough in recent weeks, they just don't have the horses anymore. I expect them to fade further back in coming weeks. San Francisco is still struggling without Barry Bonds, Armando Benitez and a healthy Jason Schmidt. Rumors have them in sell-mode as the trade deadline approaches. Which brings us to the Diamondbacks, the Padres' opponents tonight as they kick off the second half. Arizona has some nice players. Troy Glaus, Craig Counsell, Javier Vasquez, Luis Gonzalez and Brandon Webb have kept the D'Backs in this thing. But barring a major move or two before the deadline, Arizona doesn't frighten me.

But you never know. And the Friars failed to put the Dogs away when they had the chance a couple of weeks ago and the same thing could conceivably happen this weekend against the Snakes. Which is why this article in today's Union-Tribune unnerved me. Don't jinx us, people. Things look good, but the good guys ARE capable of being challenged. I would sure feel better if GM Kevin Towers were to swing a deal to improve the offense. There are a lot of rumors that the Pads are active in trying to make something happen as the deadline approaches. They recently made a strong move by acquiring reliever Paul Quantrill from the Yankees. But the team is still struggling with runners in scoring position and 3B Sean Burroughs isn't getting it done with the bat. Of course I am a strong advocate of either replacing Burroughs with Xavier Nady or platooning them. But if the club is unwilling to give up on Slapstick Seany, they definitely need to get another bat for this offense if they are going to win the division and have any chance in the playoffs.