As the saying goes they need some good old fashion home cooking. The Giants after their start needed and got some good old Colorado Rockies pitching that led one to believe that most of the Giants are now on target with their bats. The Giants are off to a solid 7-3 start which if they continue to put them in the World Series hunt again this year. The following is a quick summary of my thoughts of first ten games.
Starting pitching has been below expectations. Vogelsong is not ready which might be the result of the WBC. The Giants rallied for him against the Cubs to even his record at 1-1. The media credited the Giant offense for the win but without two glaring Cub errors the Giant never would have rallied.... I heard plenty excuses for Licecum two starts but in my opinion he was lousy.... Cain had a bad start which can happen to be best. Bumgardner and Zito might now be the aces of the staff. It was just a year ago that Zito was number 5 starter and we hoped he could give us five or six innings and keep us in the game. The Giants have won the last 16 games that he has stated. What a story! If the Giants want to exercise their option for Zito next year they are going to have to pay plenty of $'s.
Relief pitching has been outstanding. Romo is already 6 for 6 in saves. Remember Wilson would usually make the closing too exciting by allowing a hit or two and a walk. It's just the opposite with Romo who goes through the 9th innings in almost perfect fashion. Not only does Romo save his arm but heart attacks are way down in the Bay Area.
Belt's great spring training is now a waste. He got sick then showing he was macho started against Kershaw of the Dodgers. Gone is his confidence which I feel he will regain. Scurato had a sore back (37 years of age?) which got him off to a slow start which is not a good sign for the next three years. Crawford's bat is his story He may eventually bat third against right handers Sandoval had a side by side picture on TV Sunday one being after getting his ring and the other from 2011. When my wife saw how puffed up Pablo's face was she immediately said he is on steroids. She has been on them off and on for the last eight years because of various illnesses and her sister took them for 25 years before she died. Please tell me its Hershey's and not steroids! Last year Arias filled in for Pablo at third when he was on the DL and did a great job even though he had very little experience at third. Then this year he is the backup first basemen and he looks like he played it all of his life. Unfortunately next year a team will play plenty for him to be their regular shortstop which is the reason I had hoped that the Giants would have signed him for more then one year.
Posey has not looked good at the plate except perhaps for one game. I still don't like Pence protecting him in the lineup. Rather see Pablo batting behing him in the order. Sanchez should be sent to Fresno for about 6 weeks so the can get some at bats. Missing spring training for a player who only plays a couple times a week was a killer.
Pence started fast but his average has now slipped to .250. He has looked more like the player who played against the Giants for the Phillies and Astros. Pagan got his money but that hasn't stopped him from going all out. Blanco better be careful or Torres might be playing everyday. There were a couple games against the Rockies that Torres looked like the Torres the Giants had in 2009 and 2010.
Strategy: In the second game against the Rockies the Giants trailed 6-2 in the sixth inning. The first five Giants got on base. Scurato then bunted runners to second and third. Never give a team on the ropes an out! By bunting the Giants gave the Rockies an out lost their best hitter Sandoval to an intentional walk setting up a double play. Sure enough Belt hit into a inning ending DP but fortunately Pence before the double play had singled home the typing run but the Giants missed a golden opportunity to break the game wide open.
I continue to marvel at the Giants organization for selling out all the games and for on field celebrations. I would have hoped that the Giants would have come out with a statement in support of families that are continually under attack in this country. The Giants are carried on CSN Bay Area which is owned by NBC which also owns CNBC which came out recently in support of children belonging to the community and not to their parents. Maybe the Giants should look for a another TV outlet like the new Fox Sports Network that will be available next year.
Homer Sweeney
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