San Diego

After a 9-3 start, including solid bullpen outings from the likes of Cla Meredith and Duaner Sanchez, it looked like the Padres were going to prove all their skeptics wrong.

But, the Padres are 4-18 since then and their bullpen continues to struggle. Though you could say it's their inexperience, that excuse won't last much longer for Kevin Towers and company.

So, with that in mind, it's time to pass out grades as well as honorable and dishonorable mentions for this San Diego Padres' pitching staff.

On April 4, 2009 the San Diego Padres will kick off their 40th season in Major League Baseball. In contrast, FOX's popular animated sitcom "The Simpsons" is in the midst of its 20th season on television.

They've had a more successful run than the Padres, too.

In those four decades, San Diego has yet to obtain a World Series championship and boast a grand total of one win in the Fall Classic.

After moving into Petco Park at the start of the 2004 season, the Padres' fortunes seemed to change somewhat, with four consecutive winning seasons and two NL West crowns.