To get into the playoffs, the Rockies needed either a historic rise themselves or a historic collapse from a team ahead of them. With the Rockies win last night, they officially moved the Padres into historic choking status, passing the 1993 San Francisco Giants. Whether the Padres can hold serve and hold off the Giants and Rockies is remains to be seen.
No 1st or 2nd place NL West team has had a longer losing streak than the 2010 San Diego Padres since the Rockies came into existence in 1993. The Rockies really could not have asked for a more open window.
September Losing Streaks in the NL West since 1993 (1st and 2nd Place Teams)
| Team | Year | Div Rank | # Losses | Dates | Div. Finish |
| Padres | 2010 | 1 | 9 | Aug 24-Sept 4 | ?? |
| Giants | 1993 | 1 | 8 | Sept 7-15 | 2nd |
| Dbacks | 2008 | 1 | 6 | Sept 5-10 | 2nd |
| Dbacks | 2002 | 1 | 6 | Sept 20-25 | 1st |
| Dodgers | 2005 | 2 | 6 | Sept 16-22 | 4th |
| Dbacks | 2000 | 2 | 6 | Sept 16-21 | 3rd |
| Giants | 1994 | 2 | 6 | Aug 1-7 | 2nd |
Despite that, they still lead the division by two games over the Giants and 5.5 games over the Rockies. BPro gives San Diego over 70% odds to make the playoffs. Of course, these are computer simulations that remove the obvious point that humans play the game. And belief or disbelief in the clubhouse really does count for something - just watch "21 Days" if you doubt it.
Should the Rockies help San Diego push their losing streak into double digits today, it could be just the thing to unravel a young team that has been told all season they don't belong.
DLR has allowed 3 ER or less in eight consecutive starts and has a 3.07 career ERA at PetCo Park.
Richard was the last starting pitcher in a Padre win, and he has allowed 2 ER or less in four consecutive starts. If San Diego was looking for a slump-buster not named Mat, this is the guy Bud Black would turn to.
I'll be on Trail Ridge Road at the time of posting, so I won't have the lineup.