Now that Barry Bonds has passed the Babe, the San Francisco Giants can get on with business. In the National League West, that means chasing the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. “Now that this is finally off his back, we’re looking for Barry to carry us,” catcher Todd Greene said. Bonds had better bulk up stat-wise if he’s going to do that. He has a .258 average, eight homers and 24 RBIs.Bonds has said repeatedly that winning a World Series with the Giants is his No. 1 priority, but the Giants will have to play better to keep pace with Arizona.
Diamondbacks (34-23)
Who’s hot: Sinkerball starter Brandon Webb, who had a 30-inning scoreless streak end Monday night against Philadelphia, has an 8-0 record and a 2.14 ERA.
Who’s not: Coming off a 7-3 road trip that included a sweep in Atlanta, it’s hard to find a lukewarm Diamondback, let alone a cold one. Even struggling first baseman Tony Clark (.205) got hot, getting four hits, including two homers, Sunday in Atlanta.
What to watch: How the Diamondbacks play during a 10-game homestand that opened Monday. They’ll host the Phillies, Mets and Giants, all teams above .500.
Dodgers (32-26)
Who’s hot: Outfielder Kenny Lofton, who turned 39 last week, had three hits Sunday in Philadelphia. He’s hitting .322.
Who’s not: Reliever Joe Beimel, who had a 1.89 ERA before blowing up in a loss at Philadelphia on Sunday, when he gave up three runs in one-third of an inning.
What to watch: Can the rookies who have contributed so much to the Dodgers’ early-season success keep it up? Manager Grady Little started four rookies Sunday.
Padres (30-27)
Who’s hot: Chris Young, the 6-foot-10 starting pitcher who flirted with a no-hitter in each of his past two starts, including taking a no-no into the eighth against Colorado. In his past 16 innings, Young allowed just three hits and struck out 16.
Who’s not: Shortstop Khalil Greene, who has slowly worked his batting average all the way up to .232.
What to watch: The soreness in starter Jake Peavy’s right shoulder. The Padres ace pitched through pain in his past five games. His start in Milwaukee tonight was delayed a day because of tendinitis in the shoulder.
Giants (30-27)
Who’s hot: Starting pitcher Jason Schmidt, named the National League pitcher of the month for May, when he went 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA, including a seven-inning scoreless outing against the Rockies.
Who’s not: Bonds, who has just three homers in his past 86 plate appearances.
What to watch: The return of reliever Tim Worrell from a neck strain. He should bolster an inconsistent bullpen.
Rockies (27-30)
Who’s hot: Matt Holliday, who since the start of May has hit .400 – and .415, the highest average in the majors in that span, before going 0-for-4 on Monday night.
Who’s not: Nearly everyone, anytime the Rockies have men in scoring position. From May 1 through Sunday, the Rockies were 45-for-236 (.191) with men in scoring position.
What to watch: Whether the recent roster tweaks – adding infielder Omar Quintanilla, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs – can put some life in a team in danger of falling out of the race.
