1.   There are many great offensive players in the game right now, Maybe because the pitching is so awful.

2.   Along with fourth starter Denny Neagle and a bullpen featuring closer Mark Wohlers, the pitching is good enough to give the Braves a chance to win most games.

3.   And other ballclubs, knowing how thin pitching is around the majors, are starting to notice.

4.   And starting pitching has been about the only thing the Dodgers have had going for them.

5.   And the pitching has been superb in the last two games, Harnisch followed up a three-hit victory by Bobby Jones in Cincinnati with a shutout.

6.   And there was good pitching.

7.   And starting pitching is the fundamental, primary, ground-zero reason it has been possible.

8.   As effective as the platoon was Wednesday night, the pitching was better.

9.   Bad pitching is why the hitters were having such a ball before they walked.

10.   Back in spring training, we knew the starting pitching was there.