NL West

As the baseball season dwindles down to meaningless games, teams start to call up the youngsters or even the long journeymen of the minor leagues. However, the Colorado Rockies are still playing for something. The playoffs.

The Rockies used to be known for the big two: Larry Walker and Todd Helton. While Walker has since retired and Helton is hanging on by a thread, the Rockies have found their new centerpiece, Carlos Gonzalez.

Chances are that if you were around, you remember the 1986 baseball season.

A season capped by an exciting World Series that was best known for being the launching pad for several successful major league careers, including those of Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Mark McGwire, Fred McGriff, Barry Larkin, David Cone, Bo Jackson, Jamie Moyer, Steve Finley, Will Clark, and Rafael Palmeiro.

Ah, it's good to be back...

Last Night Rewind

The reinforcements have finally arrived for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although September 1 was the official day that all Major League teams were permitted to expand their rosters up to 40 players, the Dodgers finally made a series of call-ups on September 5.

Initially it was thought that Los Angeles would pass on giving the fans a sneak peek at the stars of the farm system; however, after the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, were eliminated from playoff contention, a handful of moves were indeed made.

It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

On Monday, the Giants did what their team was built to do: win behind dominant pitching, and just enough run support.

In 2007 it was unbelievable. In 2009 it was exciting. In 2010 it is becoming annoying.

Brian Wilson leads the National League in saves at 39. He has been one of the most consistent closers in all of baseball. 

Consistent you ask?

Well Brian's version of closing in consistent in a different way than you think. 

Giants fans are witnesses to this.

Almost every time he is asked to save a game, he starts off by putting men on base. Whether he walks them, or gives up a hit, he is always making Giants fans nervous. 

The Padres have been leading the NL West for virtually the whole season. Recently, a week or so ago they extended their lead to 6.5 games over the Giants. 

At this point, the team showed no signs of slowing down. Their pitching was still magnificent and their hitting was getting it done. 

The Padres also seemed to show no signs of having a major weakness, even though they didn't have a major strong point besides their pitching staff. 

Down 4-0 by the fifth inning, the Giants did not throw in the towels. Not one bit.

Matt Cain settled down and threw shutout innings in the fifth, sixth, and seventh for a final line of 7 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K.