the padres are 15 over and in first place because...

[flosses like fossas]

they are excelling in the key areas where the brewers are melting down. they are riding the backs of solid veteran starters into arguably the steadiest bullpen in baseball. they are a top five defensive team, and while their offense is nothing to write home about, again, they are buoyed by a few clutch vets and they generally score just enough runs to get the job done. if i'm not mistaken, the brewers are the photographic negative of this right now. the starters are regularly turning over subpar starts to a bullpen full of holes, we're a bottom five defensive squad, and we can't manufacture key runs. take notes, DM.

[Ennder]

They have the best FIP in the NL which means they have the best pitching in the NL regardless of fielding, they have by far the best bullpen in the NL. Fielding has a little bit to do with it, clutch has nothing to do with it, they just have an amazing set of pitchers that nobody else in the NL can compare to.