Kevin Towers Games Quotations

Mike still thinks he can catch 70 to 80 games. We'll also use him as our designated hitter against American League teams on the road (nine games against the Angels, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers). And he could play first base against some left-handed pitchers.

He has been the foundation of our bullpen since 1993. And it's great to know that he'll continue to close out games and pursue major-league records in a Padres uniform.

(Good defense) affects you in a lot of ways. It prevents your pitcher from throwing too many pitches in one inning. It gives your bullpen a rest because your starter may be able to go a little deeper into games. Cameron is going to save games with his glove.

Playoff games are usually decided in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings by bullpens, closers, the bench,

I still think everybody in the division has a chance to win it, with maybe Colorado the exception because they're looking to rebuild. The Dodgers are hanging around, the Diamondbacks are a good team and I'm so used to the Giants winning 90 or more games I can't picture them ever being out of it. I fully expect the race to come down to the last month.

We'd look at our schedule last year and pray our big games were on the road. This year it's the complete opposite. We actually love it here at home.