No rant throughout the Cardinals series so I’ll catch up here. I decided to make the trip to AT&T to see what was what for myself, and typing out posts on an iPhone just wasn’t an option. I mean, I’m crazy, but I’m not that crazy.
So, my thoughts as the Giants took two of three? They haven’t changed. The Giants have some really good pitching, and they should be absolutely ashamed that they’ve once again failed to build an offense to support it.
First, let’s talk about the pitching. Yes, the Cardinals are struggling mightily at the plate, but any team that has Pujols and Holiday is still worthy of attention. The Giants surrendered exactly three runs in three games – stellar. It also makes you wonder how they managed to lose at all.
Lincecum clearly didn’t have it on Friday, which made his outing that much more impressive. Tim tossed 120 pitches over seven frames and never looked like he was in command. “Throwers” can school you when they’re on their game. “Pitchers” beat you when they don’t. For the record, Lincecum is a “pitcher.”
Speaking of pitchers, I was resigned to the thought that the next time I’d hear that chant of “Barry, Barry” would be at an old-timers game. Zito was positively electric. Whatever the space case is sprinkling on his corn flakes, get the man a case of it. He was on, and he knew it. That’s four straight outstanding outings from a guy who traditionally stinks up the joint in April and May. The $126 Million Man finally showed up, and he made the Cardinals look positively goofy. Gotta love a man who can send Pujols to the dugout muttering to himself.
Cain pitched well enough to win. The numbers don’t tell the whole story. He gave up a solo shot and a sac fly, but it was pitch count that did him in. He wasn’t wild, it was just that the Cardinals spoiled a lot of good pitches. There were more foul balls in that game that any I can remember. Like Zito in LA, he pitched well enough to win, and a better team supporting him could have made that happen.
So let's hear it for the pitchers – a round of applause. For the sticks, a pox on your house. You should be ashamed. The Giants bats produced exactly three RBIs in three games.
The 4-1 win on Friday was a direct result of Cardinals generosity – with errors contributing to two runs and a wild pitch aiding the third. Heck, the lone RBI came on an infield single where the pitcher failed to cover the bag. Saturday’s runs scored on the proverbial seeing-eye grounder that followed two horrific bunt attempts, and a sac fly. Sunday, well, you don’t have to describe what happened when you got shut out.
I can’t say it enough. This team can’t hit. It couldn’t hit last year, and Brian “BS” Sabean didn’t address the need. After two years with Bengie Molina as the clean-up hitter you can’t say this issue snuck up on him. He’ll claim Huff and DeRosa are an upgrade, but that’s like saying your love life improved because you broke up with Amy Winehouse to go out with Courtney Love.
It’s not all gloom and doom with the Giants. They’re likely to hover around .500 because – despite a few weak spots – they’ve got pitching. The 1-3 is as good as any in the game right now, and Wilson is in the top group of closers. This is a staff in need of adjustments, particularly with regard to a fifth starter and middle relief, but an overhaul certainly isn’t warranted.
Backed by any competent offense, this team is a contender. But the offense is hardly competent. As has been his pattern, Sabean has once again assembled a vehicle comprised of complimentary parts. Nice fenders, decent tires and no freaking engine. Bonds covered up some of Sabean’s shortcomings. Now the emperor has no clothes.
Over the next two months, Sabean should be on the hot seat. Personally, I think he should be fired (surprise!) but that’s certainly not going to happen mid-season -- especially after he and Melon Head got contract extensions to start the year. But the pressure to produce should be on.
Add two impact sticks to this team – legitimate 4-5 guys, and this team has a chance. Without an offensive upgrade, they’re done. Pitchers are rarely perfect, and these guys have to be to win (just ask Matt Cain).
So as the season plays out, the onus has to be on the GM to provide some offense. No more Barnes-for-Garko fiascos. No more dealing pitching prospects for guys with one foot in the grave (or on the DL). No more Shea Hillenbrands. Add to that a legitimate fifth starter and one middle reliever and this team could be scary.
So, my contention is that the Giants are 3-4 players away from being really good. Or are they just one good GM away from being really good?
Hey, Brian! The ball is in your court.
So, my thoughts as the Giants took two of three? They haven’t changed. The Giants have some really good pitching, and they should be absolutely ashamed that they’ve once again failed to build an offense to support it.
First, let’s talk about the pitching. Yes, the Cardinals are struggling mightily at the plate, but any team that has Pujols and Holiday is still worthy of attention. The Giants surrendered exactly three runs in three games – stellar. It also makes you wonder how they managed to lose at all.
Lincecum clearly didn’t have it on Friday, which made his outing that much more impressive. Tim tossed 120 pitches over seven frames and never looked like he was in command. “Throwers” can school you when they’re on their game. “Pitchers” beat you when they don’t. For the record, Lincecum is a “pitcher.”
Speaking of pitchers, I was resigned to the thought that the next time I’d hear that chant of “Barry, Barry” would be at an old-timers game. Zito was positively electric. Whatever the space case is sprinkling on his corn flakes, get the man a case of it. He was on, and he knew it. That’s four straight outstanding outings from a guy who traditionally stinks up the joint in April and May. The $126 Million Man finally showed up, and he made the Cardinals look positively goofy. Gotta love a man who can send Pujols to the dugout muttering to himself.
Cain pitched well enough to win. The numbers don’t tell the whole story. He gave up a solo shot and a sac fly, but it was pitch count that did him in. He wasn’t wild, it was just that the Cardinals spoiled a lot of good pitches. There were more foul balls in that game that any I can remember. Like Zito in LA, he pitched well enough to win, and a better team supporting him could have made that happen.
So let's hear it for the pitchers – a round of applause. For the sticks, a pox on your house. You should be ashamed. The Giants bats produced exactly three RBIs in three games.
The 4-1 win on Friday was a direct result of Cardinals generosity – with errors contributing to two runs and a wild pitch aiding the third. Heck, the lone RBI came on an infield single where the pitcher failed to cover the bag. Saturday’s runs scored on the proverbial seeing-eye grounder that followed two horrific bunt attempts, and a sac fly. Sunday, well, you don’t have to describe what happened when you got shut out.
I can’t say it enough. This team can’t hit. It couldn’t hit last year, and Brian “BS” Sabean didn’t address the need. After two years with Bengie Molina as the clean-up hitter you can’t say this issue snuck up on him. He’ll claim Huff and DeRosa are an upgrade, but that’s like saying your love life improved because you broke up with Amy Winehouse to go out with Courtney Love.
It’s not all gloom and doom with the Giants. They’re likely to hover around .500 because – despite a few weak spots – they’ve got pitching. The 1-3 is as good as any in the game right now, and Wilson is in the top group of closers. This is a staff in need of adjustments, particularly with regard to a fifth starter and middle relief, but an overhaul certainly isn’t warranted.
Backed by any competent offense, this team is a contender. But the offense is hardly competent. As has been his pattern, Sabean has once again assembled a vehicle comprised of complimentary parts. Nice fenders, decent tires and no freaking engine. Bonds covered up some of Sabean’s shortcomings. Now the emperor has no clothes.
Over the next two months, Sabean should be on the hot seat. Personally, I think he should be fired (surprise!) but that’s certainly not going to happen mid-season -- especially after he and Melon Head got contract extensions to start the year. But the pressure to produce should be on.
Add two impact sticks to this team – legitimate 4-5 guys, and this team has a chance. Without an offensive upgrade, they’re done. Pitchers are rarely perfect, and these guys have to be to win (just ask Matt Cain).
So as the season plays out, the onus has to be on the GM to provide some offense. No more Barnes-for-Garko fiascos. No more dealing pitching prospects for guys with one foot in the grave (or on the DL). No more Shea Hillenbrands. Add to that a legitimate fifth starter and one middle reliever and this team could be scary.
So, my contention is that the Giants are 3-4 players away from being really good. Or are they just one good GM away from being really good?
Hey, Brian! The ball is in your court.
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