Monday, September 28, 2009

Starting to think beyond this week

On a day when the Giants salvaged 1 of 4 games against the Chicago
Cubs, one would expect the topic of conversation to center on Matt
Cain's brilliant 8 innings of shut out ball, maybe Eli Whiteside's 2
double night at the dish, or Juan Uribe's continuing torrent hot
streak. Instead, we find rumors floating about of who may or may not
want to be back next season.
>
> God forbid, we might muster a few thoughts about the fact that the
> Giants still aren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet.
>
> Already in the last 2 days, the Giants have been linked to Milton
> Bradley and current middleinfielders Juan Uribe & Freddie Sanchez
> are wanting to return.
>
> Other questions have begun to arise as well.
>
> What to do with Aaron Rowand? Is this the Real Barry Zito?Is Edgar
> Renteria ever going to be healthy? What about our Free Agents? Winn,
> Molina, Penny, Lowry, Frandsen, Johnson, Uribe, Aurilia, etc
>
> But the two biggest issues of them all ought to be 1- Do we Fire
> Bruce Bochy? Do we fire Brian Sabean?
>
> It seems like everyone is talking already, why not us?
>
> Over the next few weeks we'll be taking a closer look at everything.
> Check back often

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

MasterZeet Theatre

Champions are those who step up and deliver the best they have when
needed most.

Tonight, watching Barry Zito take the mound in what was arguably his
biggest night as a San Francisco Giant, I wondered if he would dig
down and deliver a performance reminicant to his Oakland Athletic
days... And did he ever come through!

Entering the game, the Giants trailing the Rockies 3.5 games with 19
to go, the fate of the season seems to be residing on each game.
Coinsiding with the recent momentum of Brad Penny & Tim Lincecum's
dominance as well as the offensive resurgance, the Giants were in a
must win situation hoping to keep their momentum progressing.

To make matters worse, Barry Zito would be facing Ubaldo Jimeniez, the
Rockies Ace...

A game definitly full of pressure and expectations; completely worthy
of the billing "Barry Zito's biggest start as a Giant".

How would he respond?

7 innings of 5 hit ball, 1 walk, 1 hit batter, 2 scattered runs, and 9
strike outs...on just 95 pitches.

Zito was lights out from the first pitch, attacking hitters and
getting ahead of 10 of the first 11 hitters. Minus the cheap HBP to
Carlos Gonzales in the first (hit his hands on the bat) Zito struck
out 3 in the first on a curve ball the Barry Bonds couldn't hit.

Zeet's continued throughout, whipping the hook in for a strike every
time. It was so good, he started getting swingthru strikes on his fast
ball.

If it hadn't been for the Giants manufacturing 10 runs and a lead so
big even Bobby Howry could hold it together, Zito would have nailed
down a complete game.

The Giants still have alot of ground to cover and big games to play,
but it's nice to see the guy making all the money stepping up at the
right time!

As it stands right now, Zito is the projected pitcher for a one game
playoff game...

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Madison Bumgarner in... Tim Lincecum out?

Ladies and gentlemen, the future is here!

Today, the Giants have called up super prospect Madison Bumgarner and he makes his MLB debut as a spot starter for the injured Tim Lincecum.

Bumgarner comes from AA Connecticut, bypassing AAA Fresno altogether. He's been ranked all season as a top 6 prospect. Recently he's been referred to as the number 1 prospect in any organization. The number 10 overall pick in the 2007 draft, Bumgarner is on the fast track but still slower than Lincecum, Pablo Sandoval, or Buster Posey were.

Standing at 6'4", 210 lbs, the Left handed Bumgarner is much closer in comparison to an early Randy Johnson (except not nearly as wild) than other Giants such as Lincecum or Matt Cain. Yet still, Bumgarner comes with no less expectations than Lincecum did when first promoted. Bumgarner's biggest problem will be following in the massive footsteps that Timmy has left in his wake and fulfilled.

He excelled through both A San Jose & AA Conn this season, posting a combined 12-2 record with an ERA of 1.85, 92 K's in 131 innings, 1.02 WHIP, 6.9 H/9, 2.3 BB/9, 2.71 K/BB.

Lincecum on the other hand, was scratched due to a stiff back. Bruce Bochy said it didn't seem to be too bad, but it scares the crap out of me.

I really don't want to believe it.

It can't be true.

I don't believe it.

You know what... it can't possibly be true... God just wouldn't do that to us...

I'm gonna get to the bottom of this.