Who knew all it would take is a shakeup in the starting lineup to get the San Francisco Giants back in the win column? I know a lot of writers/bloggers/media people tend to always hit the panic button a little early. I must admit I was really getting close to saying get Buster Posey up here immediately! It’s really a catch 22 if you think about it. If our offense is struggling and we have a hot hitter like Posey in Fresno. Yes, we should bring him up to help the team offensively. Now the flip side to that is do you think it’s really fair to Posey?
If Posey had to come up to be the offensive savior for the Giants. Don’t you think that would put a lot of added pressure on the rookie who’s already feeling the pressure of having to be Bengie Molina’s successor? I’m all for waiting to bring Posey up until he’s going to be assured a lot of playing time. There really is no point of bringing him up to spot start here and there. He’s better off down in Triple-A Fresno working on his catching. I mean after all, that was the reason he was starting the season in Fresno right?
Lineup Shakeup
I really liked the lineup that Bruce Bochy decided to go with in last nights game. If Andres Torres is in the lineup. He should always be at the top of the lineup. Let him find a way on base and burn rubber on the base paths. He just plays with a tremendous amount of energy that I think other guys in the lineup really feed off of. The lineup just seemed so balanced from top to bottom last night. Molina finally got to hit lower in the lineup as well as Aaron Rowand. That gives the Giants more ability to drive in runs throughout the lineup. It obviously worked last night, so let’s see if they can keep this Giants train rolling tonight!
Now this has been an ongoing issue. I keep hearing people say Sanchez should step up and should already have joined the team. That he lacks toughness. People have to understand that if you’re coming off an injury. You really want to be sure you’re 100%. You don’t want to rush back and risk injury again. A doctor can tell you when you should be back on the field, but that’s not set in stone. No one really knows how your body is. Only the player coming off the injury really knows when they feel 100%.
Sanchez is expected to join the team tomorrow in Arizona, as the Giants face the Diamondbacks. No, he’s not going to dramatically change the everyday lineup. He will however make an impact in it. He’s a career .299 (avg) hitter. He’s also a 3 time All Star, and has won the National League Batting Title in 2006. He’s no Babe Ruth, but he’s going to get his hits and will be on base for Pablo Sandoval, Aubrey Huff and Bengie Molina.
Side Notes
The Jermaine Dye rumor will never die till he’s signed by a team. It’s not likely the Giants will sign him. They know he had a horrible 2nd half of the season last year. He’s also demanding a hefty asking price and clearly a liability in the outfield. I don’t see the Giants feeling desperate enough to pull the trigger on that deal. They will be waiting for a player to step up, or for everyone to be healthy and on the field at the same time.
Mark DeRosa was quoted as saying “I hope and pray I get back into the lineup within a week, be productive and do what I was brought here to do, which is go to the playoffs and win a World Series.”
The Giants are 0-7 against the San Diego Padres this year. Let’s just chalk up the remaining 11 games with the Padres as losses, and let’s rest all of our players on those days. Who’s with me?
The San Francisco Giants dropped another game to the San Diego Padres, and now are on the verge of getting swept at home. I’m really not sure who owns the Giants right now, cause it seems like the Padres do to me. The Giants really need to get the bats going. You can’t win games if you can’t score runs. It’s the same story as last year right now. They are not able to score and drive in runs when they have men on base.
There is one hot bat in the line up right now. That’s first baseman Aubrey Huff. Huff is now second on the team in batting average and has passed Pablo Sandoval in that department. Huff is currently hitting .286 (AVG) with 4 homers and 17 RBI’s. I would say he’s definitely starting to feel comfortable in a Giants uniform. Did you think that’s it with Huff’s stats? Nope there’s more! He has the 3rd highest AVG in the NL since April 30th. He’s hit .425 (17-40) since that date. Let’s just hope the Giants can get some guys on base in today’s game, so he can get a chance to do some damage!
Now I’m not sure how Giants fans feel about this? Do you think DeRosa should just close up shop and get surgery now, or just play through it and get it during the offseason? Either way this goes. It’s going to be a split decision. I have heard fans say he can play hurt, but is that what we really want? Do we want to see him struggle at the plate or give other guys a chance like John Bowker?
The National League Westshowdown starts tonight! The hot San Diego Padres come marching into AT&T Park. Now they might not be marching in. It’s probably more like limping in. Although they are at the top of the NL West. Bill Center of The San Diego Union Tribune says the Padres are playing good baseball, but have key elements of their offense struggling.
He’s noted that since the start of May, five key hitters are struggling. These players are Adrian Gonzalez (3-20), Will Venable (4-21), Jerry Hairston Jr. (4-21), Tony Gwynn (2-19) and Kyle Blanks (2-15). Sounds like a perfect time to me for the Padres to make their way to San Francisco.
We aren’t exactly hitting the cover off of the ball ourselves, but we have some guys that have a nice swing going (Aaron Rowand). We just need Pablo Sandoval to find his stroke, and drive some runs in.
Barry Zito will take the hill tonight and he’s looking like he wants to start the All Star Game, or collect his Cy Young Award now. I know, we shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch. It’s just hard not to enjoy this streak that Zito is on right now. He’s fallen from the graces and now it’s nice to see Giants fans get behind this guy. No, he will never live up to his $126 million dollar contract (not really possible for any pitcher). Even though he has started off this season with a 5-0 record and a 1.49 ERA. Do you think Zito can keep up this outstanding pitching all year?
The San Francisco Giants (18-12) are back from a two city road trip. It started in Florida and ended in New York. It was a good and disappointing trip at the same time. The Giants were able to sweep the Florida Marlins (14-17) and then lost two out of three to the New York Mets(17-14).The Giants could have easily won one or both of the games they lost to the Mets. I just don’t have any confidence in them once the game is tied in the late innings. Both times in my head I was already expecting them to lose, and both times I was right. Does that make me Nostradamus? The trip was still a successful one. You can’t be mad at a 4-2 trip to Florida and New York.
Who Was Hot & Who Was Not?
Aaron Rowand was the man on this trip. He hit .357 (AVG) with 3 homers and 11 RBI’s. He had at least 2 RBI’s a game except Saturday’s game in New York. He’s looking like a man on a mission out there. He’s playing great defense and showing he’s capable of coming up with big hits when they count!
Now the Kung Fu Panda on the other hand is in a nose dive headed straight to the ground. Pablo Sandoval is in his worse slump, so far in his big league career. He’s 3 for 37 in the month of May. That’s an .081 AVG right smack in the middle of our lineup so far during this May stretch. He was hitting .368 at the end of April and now his overall AVG has dropped to .282. Which still is the best average on the Giants.
Sandoval went 3 for 29 on this road trip (.103 AVG). His first two hits came on the first day of the road trip in Florida. I believe a hot or average Sandoval would have helped the Giants scratch out another win or two in New York. I really believe he’s going to get out of his funk in this homestand. Nothing like some home cooking (or fast food) to get you right back on track!
The Giants are now home to face the San Diego Padres (19-12) and the Houston Astros(10-21). I’m really glad the Giants have the Padres at home this time around. For whatever reason we just cant’ go down south and play well against these Padres. Does anyone have any logical reason why? Please let me know if you do, because this is a mystery to me.
The Giants had a great home-stand against some very “Built Ford Tough” (hope Ford send me a check for that plug) teams. It was a 6-3 record against the ST. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. The Giants had a chance to sweep each team, but dropped the finale in each series.
Now it’s back on the road for the hot Giants. It’s a mystery to see which Giants team will make the trip. Will it be the hot team coming straight from San Francisco, or the cold team that went 1-5 on the Los Angeles/San Diego road trip. It’s like night and day…
Tim Lincecum gets the start tonight against the Florida Marlins. Let’s hope he can get this road trip started off on the right foot. Timmy has been taking a lot of heat for not being able to pitch in the heat. I’m not sure how hot it will be in Florida at game time, but I’m sure it will be very humid. Timmy has been labeled as a cold weather pitcher. Let’s hope he can show he’s dominate in any type of weather.
This is a two city stop for the Giants on this road trip. They will be in Florida for 3 games, and then New York for 3 more. The Giants need to prove to themselves and their fans that they can win on the road. The Giants have proven that they can hang with anyone at AT&T Park. Let’s just hope Bruce Bochy figures out a way to jump start this offense in other places than San Francisco.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says a leading theory posits the Giants will keep Buster Posey in the minors until June to ensure he does not gain an extra year of arbitration eligibility, but team officials have discussed bringing him up sooner.
King of Cali thoughts: Now it’s not rocket-science. If Posey is hitting and Aubrey Huff isn’t. I would bring up Posey, and let him get some games in at first. He can even get some games in when Bengie Molina needs a break behind the dish. This is just to help jump start the offense a bit.
Posey hasn’t been driving the ball so far this season, but he’s still getting his hits. He’s currently hitting .353 AVG with 1 homer and 9 RBI’s in 18 games for the Fresno Grizzlies. We need a guy that can hit. If you place him in this Giants lineup. He’s easily already one of the top 3 hitters in the everyday lineup. That’s how good this kids bat can be. Well then again… him being one of our top 3 hitters isn’t saying much for a team that desperately needs offensive help. Do you think the Giants should bring up Posey now?
The Giants could use Sanchez as soon as possible, Baggarly says. Juan Uribe is listed as day-to-day, Edgar Renteria is playing through bursitis in his right shoulder, and Mark DeRosa has a bad hamstring too.
SIDE NOTES
Todd Wellemeyer’s start Tuesday probably will be his last until May 8th. The Giants have two days off and are likely to skip his next start.
King of Cali thoughts: The 2010 Giants look like the 2009 Giants right now. They can’t seem to get any clutch hits. I was hoping Aubrey Huff would turn into the offseason steal like Uribe was a year ago. It’s still very early in the season, so a lot can change. I just wouldn’t be buying your “Vote For Huff” All Star shirts this year.
Huff still has that power that the Giants need. Even though he has yet to show it this season. It may take a while for him to get in his comfort zone since he’s coming from the American League. Just an FYI to Huff. Buster Posey is swinging a very hot bat in Fresno. He may force the issue and take over at first sooner or later if Huff isn’t producing! Things that make you go hmmm…
If F-Sanchez joins the team within 2 weeks. That’s going to be a big spark that the Giants desperately need. This guy can flat out hit and get on base. I know that doesn’t solve the problem of guys driving in runs, but it does bring an above average bat to the everyday lineup. This will also give the Giants more options as far as who’s hot to stay in the lineup. If Renteria isn’t pulling his weight. Then he can sit the bench and keep Bruce Bochy company.
Dan Fost the author of Giants Past & Present has picked a winner from the comments that were submitted on the “Q&A With Dan Fost – Author Of Giants Past & Present, Wing A Copy!” post. Dan liked all the comments and was torn between a few different comments. He did however decide to go with Dan Pera. He said let’s give Robb Nen his due. A lot of fans have been down on him after 2002 World Series, but I think Pera hits the nail on the head, and I like that he appreciates the sacrifice Nen made for the team. Dan Pera’s winning comment will be at the bottom of this post.
Just because you didn’t win the Giants Past & Present book. Doesn’t mean you can’t still purchase it. I’m telling you it’s a must have for Giants fans. You can purchase the book at Giants Past & Present. I’m sure you know some Giants fans who’s birthday is coming up or you want to get them the book for Fathers Day.
Winning Comment
Dan Pera,
Despite the fact I love Will Clark and Barry Bonds, I have to say that the guy I’ll always love and respect the most is Robb Nen.
He wasn’t a longtime Giant, but the years he was with us, he gave us a dominant presence at the end of the bullpen. His insane slider was like 92 mph. Just absolute pure filth. Plus, his theme song, “Smoke on the Water” is just too epic for words.
I’ll never forget how he pitched himself into an early career grave by giving up his shoulder in 2002. He gave everything he had, and never pitched again as a result. Love Robb Nen.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum wants to buy a Volkswagen Micro-bus. Lincecum dropped the news in a small piece in the May issue of GQ. Below is a picture of what he will be rolling in…
King of Cali thoughts: I guess this is one thing he wants to buy with his money. He can get whatever he wants. He’s sitting on top of the world. Although, he’s starting to remind me a lot of Shaggy from Scooby Doo. At least we know if Shaggy played baseball. He would be one hell-of-a-pitcher!
Lincecum is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA so far this season. I’m not calling him the 2011 Cy Young Award winner, but it seems like he’s going to make another run at it again this year. Do you think Lincecum can get the trifecta?
The 
The Giants had a great home-stand against some very “Built Ford Tough” (hope Ford send me a check for that plug) teams. It was a 6-3 record against the 
Dan Fost
