Most experts thought coming into the season, the NL West would be one of the toughest in baseball, with four legitimate teams capable of winning crown in 2008. As the saying goes, “You can never win a pennant in April, but you could sure lose one.” The thought was San Diego (9-14, -7.7 units) had enough pitching and if they could get some hitting, no reason to believe they wouldn’t be a contender all year.

A look at National League hitting stats shows the Padres have real issues with lineup. San Diego is 15th in runs scored, next to last in on base percentage and batting average and dead last in slugging percentage. The batting order is devoid of speed, being tied for last in the senior circuit in stolen bases. With all their faults, the Friars have a collection of free swingers, with them having the second most strikeouts in the NL.

The bullpen has been a strength of San Diego’s for many seasons, not this year, they have blown five of nine save attempts, own an alarming 1-9 record, with 5.30 ERA.

Contrast those figures with the Diamondbacks (16-6, +9.8 units) who are second in runs scored, third in OBP and tops in slugging percentage in the National League. Arizona improved its starting pitching when acquiring Danny Haren and made changes in the bullpen that have worked, with 3.20 ERA.

Since winning at Arizona last Sunday, the Padres have lost four straight and eight of nine overall. Randy Wolf (2-0, 2.49) will draw the assignment, just like he did last Sunday, trying to be the San Diego stopper. The Padres are 10-1 against the money line after four or more consecutive losses over the last three seasons and will look to Wolf to improve to 24-11 in all games he has started over the last three years. (Team's Record) Wolf is most effective when he spots his fastball and can control change-up on the right counts. Randy Johnson (0-1, 3.37) will make his third start of 2008. Johnson has been proficient in still striking out hitters, with 13 in just over 10 innings. What has been his early downfall are seven free passes. The D-Backs split two with the Dodgers and are 11-2 after a game where the bullpen gave up no runs this season.

Saturday’s contest will be an afternoon contest on Fox, with Micah Owings (4-0, 2.42) facing Justin Germano (0-2, 5.01). Coming into the weekend series, the Snakes had abused the West with 15-4 ML mark this campaign. The 25-year old Owings has been a big contributor, with all four of his wins in division. He has low-90’s fastball and a snappy slider. He’s an exceptional athlete having already been used as a pinch hitter this year and is unafraid to demand the inside of the plate when pitching. Germano’s first three trips to the slab were solid, allowing four runs in 20 innings, with nothing to show for it. He was vaporized by Houston in last outing giving up 10 runs in less than four innings. His margin of error is limited, since when he doesn’t have his best stuff and control, he is very hittable. Good matchup in the daytime, with Pads 5-1 and D-Backs 7-3. Owings is perfect 3-0 pitching in sunshine.

The series finale should be beauty for those who enjoy quality pitching. The scheduled starters are Jake Peavy (3-0, 2.00) for San Diego and Brandon Webb (5-0, 2.31) for Arizona. With two such hurlers of this nature, the total has to come into play. As this three game set began, the punchless Padres were 3-9 Under in expansive Petco Park and these two pitchers are combined 5-1 Under in home/road situation. Check the number on this series finale, with Arizona 42-23 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 or higher over the last two seasons.

With San Diego only having two double-digit hit outings in last 12 games, they don’t figure to get well against Arizona. The Padres pitiful pen hurts them in a close contests and no reason to believe it is going to repair itself. Snakes are playing too well to bet against them.