First posted on Thursday, Sept. 8

How can teams that have so much trouble scoring runs still be in the playoff hunt? That's simple. It's pitching, my friend.

The Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and Florida Marlins all have the same problem, yet they are still in the wild-card hunt in the National League. ...

The Nationals are the worst offensive team in baseball, dead last, 30^th. They've only scored 542 runs this year. Yet because of their pitching, they still have a chance with 24 games remaining because they can get people out.

The Nats have one of the best bullpens in the game - 46 saves and 63 holds, led by Chad Cordero with 43 saves and a 1.30 ERA, Hector Carrasco (61 innings pitched and 43 hits), Gary Majewski (one HR in 71 innings pitched) and Luis Ayala (14 walks in 71 innings pitched).

The latter three guys all have ERAs in the low twos.

The Houston Astros have the best pitching staff in the game while boasting the 26^th-best offense in baseball.

Led by Hall of Famer Roger Clemens and his 1.57 ERA, Roy Oswalt and a healthy Andy Pettitte, these guys are great (61-46 as a rotation). Throw in a solid bullpen with Brad Lidge and his 35 saves in 38 chances, and that's why they lead the NL wild-card race. But the Florida Marlins are right on their heals.

The Marlins have the 19^th-best offense in the Majors, yet they have the sixth-best pitching staff in the NL.

Dontrelle Willis is having a Cy Young year, winning his 20^th game last night, along with Josh Beckett and AJ Burnett. This will be one tough rotation if they make the playoffs.

And one last note ... Marlins closer Todd Jones has been nothing less than amazing this year (35-37 in saves, a 1.15 ERA and 12 BB's in 63 innings pitched).

Are you kidding me? And he's only making $1.1 million? What a bargain!

So you see, it's not about $200 million offenses; it's about pitching and defense.

That's what gets you a ring.