Take a peek at the wild, wild National League West and only one thing is really clear: The hottest team in the final 10 days of the season is likely to win the division. Every team – except the slumping Rockies – has rebounded from disaster with a winning streak that put them back in the race. The Giants, for instance, were in first place July 22 before losing nine straight. Then they rebounded with 11 wins in 14 games to get back in the hunt. Go figure.
Dodgers (69-62)
Who’s hot: Rookie pitcher Chad Billingsley, 5-1 with a 1.39 ERA since the all-star break. Better control has been the key.
Who’s not: Rookie catcher Russell Martin, who has hit a late-season wall. He hit .211 in his previous seven games before going 2-for-3 on Monday night.
What to watch: If the Dodgers can cement their hold on the West with six home games, which began Monday night with a three-game series against Cincinnati, followed by three against the Rockies. The Dodgers are 14-3 against those clubs.
Padres (66-65)
Who’s hot: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez. He is batting .330 (61-for-185) with 32 RBIs over his past 47 games.
Who’s not: Whoever plays third base. Since Vinny Castilla’s release, San Diego third basemen have hit .193 (27-for-140) with three homers and 11 RBIs and made 10 errors.
What to watch: If supposed ace Jake Peavy can win down the stretch. His stuff has been inconsistent, and in nine of his 26 starts the Padres have failed to score a run with him on the mound.
Giants (65-66)
Who’s hot: Barry Bonds, who went 4-for-10 against the Reds over the weekend, seemingly more content to be more than just a home run hitter.
Who’s not: Outfielder Randy Winn, who fanned three times against Cincinnati on Sunday.
What to watch: Whether Moises Alou, hampered by a chronically sore hamstring, can help the Giants down the stretch.
Diamondbacks (64-67)
Who’s hot: Rookie shortstop Stephen Drew, hitting .360 over his past 22 games.
Who’s not: Starting pitcher Livan Hernandez, 1-3 in a Diamondbacks uniform since being traded from Washington. The Dodgers hammered him for five runs on eight hits in six innings Sunday.
What to watch: If the return of injured veterans Craig Counsell and Tony Clark can stop the Diamondbacks’ recent free-fall.
Rockies (61-69)
Who’s hot: Left fielder Matt Holliday, whose average rose from .320 to .330 over the past 16 games.
Who’s not: Second baseman Jamey Carroll. After hitting above .300 most of the season, he has sunk to .289.
What to watch: If the Rockies can win at least one game from the talented Mets after getting swept in New York this month.
