Status Check: San Diego Padres

Status Check is FanHouse's conversation with fans from the rest of the blogosphere. Today, we talk with Geoff Young from Ducksnorts, Anthony Trifiletti from Friar Watch, and jbox from Gaslamp Ball.

Q. How far can the Padres go this season?

A. Geoff Young from Ducksnorts: Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I think the Padres can go as far as they want this year. Of course, I thought that last year, so who knows. They have two studs at the front of the rotation in Jake Peavy and Chris Young, as well as veterans Greg Maddux and David Wells to pick up the back end. This mix gives opponents a lot of different looks, and even if they knock out the starters, they have to deal with -- statistically -- the best bullpen in baseball. It's popular to gripe about the Padres' offense, but Adrian Gonzalez is proving that last year was no fluke, while Mike Cameron, Khalil Greene, and Kevin Kouzmanoff all have been swinging the bat well of late. The addition of Michael Barrett, who destroys left-handed pitching, gives San Diego another weapon. The Padres really just need to stay healthy, keep executing well, and hold off at least one of Arizona or LA the rest of the way. Once the post-season starts, it's a crapshoot, but I think the Padres have put themselves in excellent position so far and should come out okay if they keep doing what they've been doing over the first 2 1/2 months of the season.

Q. What has made the Padres pitching staff so successful this year?

A. Anthony Trifiletti from Friar Watch: Jake Peavy - He's healthy again and throwing his slider with confidence. He's also matured and learned to control his emotions.

Chris Young - At the beginning of last season Young threw 4 seam fastballs almost exclusively. He's learned to throw a slider and a curve in addition to a two seamer. When those pitches aren't there he's still capable of dominating with just the 4 seamer.

Greg Maddux, David Wells - Two solid veteran additions. Maddux in particular has been a big influence on Peavy and Germano.

Justin Germano - You don't have to throw hard if your location is good enough and Germano has been near perfect with his command.

Bullpen - Heath Bell was a terrific addition, he's been unhittable at times. Linebrink's K rate is down but he hasn't lost velocity or movement, he appears to be pitching to contact. Hoffman just keeps rolling along, no one can hit that change up even if they know it's coming. The last guy out of the pen is Kevin Cameron with his 0.39 ERA in 23 innings, that tells you how strong this bullpen has been.

The Padres have only had two setbacks: Clay Hensley battled blister problems and a loss of command, leading to Germano taking his spot in the rotation and Cla Meredith has been leaving too many 80 mph frisbee sliders in the heart of the plate. Pitching coach Darren Balsley has done a great job of keeping his staff's mechanics on track and deserves a lot of the credit.

Q. If you could identify one moment as the turning point in the season, what would it be?

A. jbox from Gaslamp Ball: I think the season turned around the instant that Clay Hensley sprained his junk and was sent to the disabled list. The result was that Justin Germano became a legitimate starter, Kooz and Cameron learned to hit and co-eds all over San Diego were forced to find a new favorite Padre. Germano is one of the great stories from this year and everybody keeps expecting him to implode but he keeps proving them wrong. It's not often that you lose a starter and are able to replace him with someone that can outperform him.