Forget all the preseason analysis and the hammering of data that suggested the San Diego Padres were going to be a non-contender in 2010. Not only have the Padres been much better than most people anticipated, they have been the best team in the National League for a majority of the season. As of July 20, the Padres were four games up on the San Francisco Giants in what cialis cheap has turned out to be the second best division in baseball.

Heading into the season, it was expected that first baseman Adrian Gonzalez would be on his way out of San Diego to a team that had a better chance of contending. Ironically enough, the struggling Seattle Mariners were mentioned as one of the potential suitors. More than halfway through the season, however, the Padres continue to play consistently solid baseball, with Gonzalez leading the way with some of the best power numbers in the N.L. Something tells me that the Padres’ front office isn’t entertaining many trade offers involving their superstar slugger with the Padres a half-game up on the Braves for the best record in the National League.

But as Gonzalez continues to have yet another stellar season, the reason the Padres have remained at the top of the division is the performance of its brilliant young pitching staff. Led by Matt Latos, the Padres’ starting rotation has been very solid, with four of five starters having an ERA of 3.53 or lower. At age 22, Latos hasn’t just been the best pitcher on the Padres but has been one of the best pitchers in the league. Through 17 starts, Latos (2.45) has a better ERA than Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter and Johan Santana, as many wins as Roy Halladay (10) and is tied with Josh Johnson for the best WHIP in the National League (0.97). If Latos put up those types of numbers for a more prominent team, he would be one of the most talked about players in the league this year.

To keep it up, however, the Padres will have to lean even heavier on Latos and other starters like John Garland, who has been better than expected so far this season. Though closer Heath Bell may not directly sell San Diego Padres tickets, he’s also been a tremendous bright spots for the Padres. Bell hasn’t blown a save since May and has the type of overpowering stuff that can get relief pitchers out of jams in the late innings. His 4-0 record also points to how well he’s been able to hold leads when he isn’t pitching in a save situation.

While Bell, Latos and Gonzalez have finally gotten some recognition, what hasn’t gotten much recognition has been the unbelievable defense played by the Padres this season. So far (as of July 20), the Padres are tied with the Minnesota Twins for the least errors committed this season with just 34. For a team that lacks the big lineup many of the premier teams boast, the ability of the Padres to play consistently great defense cannot be overlooked. In an enormous home park that requires good pitching and defense, the Padres have been able to put together both, which likely places manager Bud Black on the short list for Manager of the Year.

More than anything, though, the Padres have proven that a small payroll team can compete with the more prominent teams in the league. With a nice combination of young talent, a stressing of fundamentals and an MVP candidate in Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres may just have enough to surprise the baseball world and take down the N.L. West. The Giants, Rockies and Dodgers have all played pretty well this season and won’t give up the division without a fight, but the Padres have proven to be the most resilient team of the year so far. They may not have a sizeable payroll to back them up, but that could be enough to get the Padres back to the postseason.

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