...the pitching has been positively lights out since the boys got back from their extended All-Star break vacation.

Peter Abraham broke down the pertinent numbers for us. Behold:
57 innings
49 hits
12 earned runs
12 walks
61 strikeouts
1.89 ERA

Look at that walk-to-strikeout ratio! And the ERA, my goodness!

And this has all been accomplished with a pitching roster than includes the likes of Sidney Ponson and LaTroy Hawkins.

Can they keep it up down the stretch? It's unlikely, to be honest. Sir Sidney will implode - hopefully just in time for Hughsie or IPK to make a triumphant return (wishful thinking?) - and Jose Veras will come back to earth. Jobamania will have a bad outing (unless he really IS superhuman). Moose will remember he's an old man. Mariano will remember he's not a machine. But what the staff has done of late is a terrific start to what we hope will be another league-leading, playoff-worthy second half.