Mid Seanson Rant

Remember now, I’ve always been the eternal optimist with my Giants, but this season has really tested me in that respect


Going into this season, all the pundits picked our Gmen to show miserably and unfortunately our boys aren’t disappointing them. I’ve been saying all year that this team is better than last year. Based on what you ask? Based on our two major off season acquisitions, Zito and Roberts. To say they have had disappointing first halves would be an understatement. Roberts is hitting a shade higher than the Mendoza line and his OBP of .297 for a lead off hitter is flat out embarrassing. Zito has been less than average all year. A 6-9 record with an ERA just under 5.00 is not what the Giants thought they were going to get for 126 mil. If his curve isn’t working, he’s history. I’m so unimpressed with him thus far.
Lets look at the pitching staff. This is our future. Cain is sporting the best 3-9 in history. He could easily be 7-5 or 8-4 with any kind of run support. Lowry and Morris have emerged as the top starters and are have nice seasons. I don’t want to address Zito anymore. He makes me twitch. Lincecum is a rising star who’s only going to get better and better. He’s had to pay his rookie dues in a couple of starts but I’ve enjoyed watching the kid mature with each outing. Over all the staff’s team ERA of 3.93 is 4th best in the NL. The real Achilles’ heel of this staff has been the free pass. Walks…walks, walks, walks, walks!!! The Giants have given away 90 feet 334 times, second worst in the NL. Why give them rally starters? Make them earn it by putting the ball in play. Quit nibbling!!! (There… I feel better)
The bullpen started out miserably and has rebounded some. Help is still needed here. As for the closer… we don’t have one. Can you name any other contending team that doesn’t have a decent closer? Neither can I.
On offense we all know the problem. The Giants are 28th in the majors in runs scored. We can not get the run in with less than 2 out and runners in scoring position. Except Benjie. I wish the team would just tell Molina there are 2 outs every time he comes up. Barry has exceeded the projections of most everyone. His knees are healthier and he’s running better, but he has no one in the lineup that can protect him. Klesko has been a surprise coming back from shoulder surgery. He doesn’t have the pop in his bat that he used to, but has been adequate at .295/.385/.477 while also showing surprising deftness around the bag at first. Winn has been adequate as well. Durham, Vizquel, Aurilia and Fel…. urgh… (sorry, gag reflex) have all been hitting below their career averages.
As for Bochy, I think he’s doing an admirable job considering what he has to work with.
Overall first half grade C-

So what does the rest of the season look like? If we stand pat, this team can’t stay this bad. I’m not saying pennant or playoffs, or even .500, I’m just saying they won’t stay this bad. What Sabs does before the deadline will definitely define the course for this team. The chances of making the playoffs this year are slim and none. It’s time. I’m not saying fire sale, but it’s time to start building for the future. WMF is a pitchers park and we need to build a team around it. The groundwork has been set down in this direction with a wealth of talented young arms from the big team all the way down to singe A Augusta. Some of these young prospects we will undoubtedly have to part with to build an offense. It’s going to be very interesting in the next two weeks. Like Roger Craig used to say, “Don’t get your Dauber down”. Rebuilding this team to pennant contention will not take more than a year or two. The foundation that is our young staff has been laid down.