Just a few odds and ends for you on a Friday.

• The Magic Shillelagh (The Mirl). Longtime reader and friend of Ducksnorts Ed Barnes talks about the Pads’ current hot streak. Mark Grant compares this team to the 1991 Braves, while Wally Joyner likens it to the 1986 Angels. (Those two teams won 94 and 92 games, respectively.)
• The bandwagon jumper’s guide to the San Diego Padres (Gaslamp Ball). Dex has some tips for the uninitiated. I tried the one for Aki; nobody bought me any drinks, but I did manage to get the room to myself.
• Giles brothers remain opponents, for now (NC Times). They want to play on the same team together, like the Molina brothers up the I-5 in Anafullerbreales.
• Bochy’s clubhouse rant spurred Padres all the way to first place (U-T). Some people credit Bochy, some credit Sandy Alderson, some credit Anna Kournikova. I credit Zlad! Prepare for downcount, baby.
• Rampaging Padres roll into Seattle (Padres.com). The Padres travel way up north to face their “geographical rival” – the logic evidently being that the two teams share the same spring training complex.
• Josh Barfield Just One Step Away (Scout.com). Padres prospect Josh Barfield talks about shortening his stroke, the difference between Double-A and Triple-A pitchers, and more.

And I saw this quiz somewhere (sorry, forget where) at the Baseball Crank (thanks to Richard for refreshing my memory!). Honolulu definitely, Austin maybe. Atlanta and Miami? Well, I’m happy with their baseball teams right now, but I don’t think so.

That’s all for now. We’ll fire up the In-Game Discussion around 6:30 or so. See ya then!