The Chargers Don’t Play Until Sunday; Pay Attention as the Padres Finish Strong

At the risk of jinxing it, the Padres are winning. Before Tuesday night’s defeat, they had won five in a row and seven of their last eight. I know I shouldn’t say it, but had they run the table, they would’ve finished with a .500 record. 81-81. We haven’t seen a non-losing record since 2010.

The casual fans have long since stopped paying attention. It’s football season, the Chargers knocked off the Super Bowl champs, and, as frequently happens in San Diego, the month of September has San Diego sports fans thinking Mission Valley instead of downtown.

But for those of us who live and die with the horsehide, we’re seeing the San Diego nine put on a pretty good end-of-the-season show. A sweep of the Giants that pretty much ruined their chances of winning the division. Andrew Cashner back, finally healthy, and hitting triples and drag bunt singles while pitching lights-out ball.

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Jedd Gyorko putting together a 10-game hitting streak. Eric Stults and Odrisamer Despaigne throwing shutout ball. Alexi Amarista driving in runs like he wants to be the starting shortstop next season. The successful return of Robbie Erlin to the starting rotation. Ian Kennedy joining the elite Padres 200-K Club.

It’s been fun. These Padres are fun to watch.

Sure, the Padres were brutally bad for the first half of the season. But since July 1, they’re 39-34. Keep up that rate for a whole season, and you’re looking at an 88-74 record.

Anybody like to see that record in 2015? I wouldn’t mind.

So while it’s fine to root for the Chargers, and get excited about football, let’s not forget that there’s another pro sports season that isn’t over yet. There are a handful of chances left to turn on Fox Sports San Diego, or to drive down to Petco Park, and to cheer on your Padres. Let’s not squander that opportunity. It’s a long time until pitchers and catchers report.

Keep the Faith.