Gratuitous dog picture, but I had to get a shot of Toby up here before the season ends. Doesn’t he look stylish in his Ducksnorts cap. As a not-so-subtle reminder, you can buy a cap (but not a dog) at the Ducksnorts Online Store. Proceeds this month go to the Red Cross to help in the hurricane effort.

Before we talk about the baseball Giants, I’d just like to say that if Sunday’s showing against the Chargers is the best an Eli Manning team can do, he is welcome to come to San Diego anytime. Really, it would be our pleasure.

Anyway, the Giants come to town just 4 games back of the Padres. All games start at 7:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on San Diego Channel 4.

Your matchups:

• Monday: Jake Peavy (13-7, 2.95 ERA) vs Brad Hennessey (5-8, 4.96 ERA)
• Tuesday: Adam Eaton (10-5, 4.18 ERA) vs Brett Tomko (7-15, 4.48 ERA)
• Wednesday: Pedro Astacio (5-10, 4.85 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (12-6, 4.29 ERA)
• Thursday: Brian Lawrence (7-15, 5.06 ERA) vs Noah Lowry (13-13, 3.90 ERA)

The Pads need a split to clinch a share of the NL West championship. On paper, they should be able to win two games against the Giants. In reality, anything can happen.

I’ll be out at the park Monday through Wednesday. With luck we’ll be dancing in the aisles after one of those games.

Technorati tags: Padres, San Diego Padres, baseball