Think you are wrong here. They lost their closer early in the year. Bradley out most of the year. iztures (however it is spelled) gone, no 3rd baseman. They really are not that good on offense. Their starting pitching is pretty good.
As for Alou, I have watched him make numerous mistakes with double switches/ use of starters and bull pens etc. He is in the top 3 horrible coaches in the league in my opinion with Dusty Baker being the worst.
Play is going good though, they are up. I'd wish you luck, but got the other side.