NL West

His performance took fans back to 2007. In his first appearance since September 2008, Jeff Francis dominated a powerful Washington Nationals lineup, helping the Rockies to a 2-1 win at Coors Field on Sunday.

Just chill, Giants—we got this.

After sweeping aside the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series, the San Diego Padres had the favor returned to them by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The sweep put the Dodgers just two games back of the Friars for first place, and San Diego now sits just a half-game ahead of the Giants.

For the Dodgers, it marked their seventh win in a row and ninth in their last 10 games. The Dodgers finished the road trip a perfect 6-0, having swept the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks before arriving in San Diego.

The lineup and batting order that makes the most sense for the Giants—and why it makes sense—is of some interest as the club hits San Diego looking to move into first place in the National League West.

1. Aaron Rowand, center field

Rowand's been more productive in the leadoff spot than he has anywhere in the lineup in his two-plus seasons in San Francisco. Don't mess with a good thing...unless he goes 0-for-4 and the Padres win 2-1 in the opener.

2. Freddy Sanchez, second base

The forecast is starting to look better.

This is getting ridiculous. If depression from the weather hasn't set in, it never will. For most it has, and won't go away until the temperatures get above 60 degrees.

Miguel Olivo spoiled hometown hero Roy Halladay's first ever trip to Coors Field.

Leading off the bottom of the 10th inning, Olivo hammered a hanging curveball from Chad Durbin deep into the left field seats. The home run capped an incredible day for the catcher, who entered Wednesday mired in a 2-for-28 skid.

It's early. There is no denying that. However, with an eighth of the season already complete, it's not too early to speculate on who will win the postseason awards.

The Colorado Rockies are struggling.

It had to happen. At some point Ubaldo Jimenez was going to pick up a loss.