The question is, can they keep this play up until key contributors return from the DL?
When Jeff Samardzija, Madison Bumgarner, and Mark Melancon landed on the disabled list to begin the year, it was clear that other guys would have to step up their game. So far, they have.
Both Ty Blach and Derek Holland have contributed solid starts this year and guys like Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson, and Hunter Strickland (except for that late Easter present to Paul Goldschmidt) have really pitched well out of the bullpen in the absence of Will Smith and Melancon.