Help Me, Father?

Actually, it's the fathers who need help at this point. The San Diego Padres had been on a 7-game winning streak before dropping their last 4, (3 at home against the Rockies and the first of 3 on the road against San Francisco), and in the process, dropping their Wild Card Lead. Now they're 3 back with 6 to play in the NL West (i.e., in trouble) and the Wild Card situation is murkier than ever. San Diego and Philadelphia are tied at 85-71 apiece. The Rockies (who've won 8 straight) are just a game back, and previously-down-and-out Atlanta is still on life support, sitting 3 back.

The Pads have 2 more with Frisco, then a potentially tough 4-game road series, against a likely-bitter Milwaukee club. The Phillies are home for their last 6, first it's Atlanta for 3, then the Nats for 3. Colorado has 3 at LA, then 3 at home against the division-leading Diamondbacks. We'll find out what they're made of this coming weekend. And finally the Braves, who basically have to win out, are on the road their final 6 games of the year...3 in Philly and 3 in Houston.

For the Padres, things are coming unraveled at a crucial time. Milton Bradley tore his right ACL as manager Bud Black was trying to restrain him from arguing balls and strikes with a home plate umpire, Sunday. He got ejected anyway, and he's done for the year. And earlier in that game, Bradley stepped on Mike Cameron's hand as the two were going after a ball in the gap. Now Cameron's right thumb has torn ligaments, and he's going to be limited these last six games as well. Add to that the fact that former Cy Young candidate Chris Young is 0-5 with a 5.61 since the start of August, Khalil Greene is 2 for his last 27, and they just traded for Jason Lane to be a starting outfielder the rest of the way.

Taking a usually laid-back San Diego approach to things, Black said, "We still determine our own fate...It's exciting. There are a lot of teams that would trade places with us."

We'll see if he's still saying that next week at this time.