arty:
In an effort to provide some insight regarding the Giants, which are my home team and I have seen all 24 games too date, I must tell you that Jason Schmidt has yet to hit his stride, particularly of late. He has neither had the velocity nor the location command of either his fastball or change up that were both devastating the last two years. The Giants as a team, however, have settled in nicely even after the recent major loss of closer Armando Benitez, although they have yet to determine a closer and finish by committee. The players continue to hit and Moises Alou is beginning to get his timing following being on the disabled list for 15 days. The veteran nature of this team is showing through as they have never hung their heads since learning about losing Bonds for probably at least half the season. Without Bonds and Benitez, it will be difficult for the Giants but they will grind out wins at times, as they have been doing lately. Although it may be difficult for them to contend in the division this year without two key components, they are currently on a projected pace to win 87+ games. Don't want to sway anyone one way or the other today, just providing a local perspective.
Great insight, OMT. Giants are still my pick to win the West. Alou starting to get his timing down, as you noted. Felipe always seems to plug guys in and be competitive, his Expos teams always played with heart. Schmidt got an extra days rest this time around. Durham is dinged up a bit, but nothing serious.
They just need to stay in it till Bonds gets back. I don't see anyone running away with it, believe Zona and LA will fade as the year goes on, which leaves SD and SF to battle it out.
On the Zona side, they come in hot also, Ortiz looks decent so far. He hasn't fared well vs. his former club, though. A few of the SF bats have hit him historically (Snow, Tucker. Matheny, Grissom).
They just need to stay in it till Bonds gets back. I don't see anyone running away with it, believe Zona and LA will fade as the year goes on, which leaves SD and SF to battle it out.
On the Zona side, they come in hot also, Ortiz looks decent so far. He hasn't fared well vs. his former club, though. A few of the SF bats have hit him historically (Snow, Tucker. Matheny, Grissom).
SSI:
How could you do such a thing my friend. Just kidding of course. As always, continued success.
ego74:
Some encouraging signs from the Giants have been recent performances by starters Tomko and Reuter and expect Lowry to continue to be steady and improve. Expected that Williams would not survive in the rotation and was sent down appropriately in my opinion. Hennessey or Foppert would be better in the rotation. Hitting and defense has been pretty consistent, particularly of late. Still, closing by committee will be difficult as last year it resulted in 28 blown saves even though the Giants still ended up with 91 wins and just missed winning the division. Alou manages each game like it is the 7th game of the World Series and gets the most out of his team. Even so, without Bonds and Benitez as the season progresses, the bullpen may tire. So far, this team has done well given it's current situation.
How could you do such a thing my friend. Just kidding of course. As always, continued success.
ego74:
Some encouraging signs from the Giants have been recent performances by starters Tomko and Reuter and expect Lowry to continue to be steady and improve. Expected that Williams would not survive in the rotation and was sent down appropriately in my opinion. Hennessey or Foppert would be better in the rotation. Hitting and defense has been pretty consistent, particularly of late. Still, closing by committee will be difficult as last year it resulted in 28 blown saves even though the Giants still ended up with 91 wins and just missed winning the division. Alou manages each game like it is the 7th game of the World Series and gets the most out of his team. Even so, without Bonds and Benitez as the season progresses, the bullpen may tire. So far, this team has done well given it's current situation.
Matheny deserves a lot of credit for their steady pitching, imo. Calls a fine game, and you can't ask for a better defensive catcher. As a Cardinal fan, I hated seeing him leave, even though Molina has a good future ahead of him.
It goes without saying how steady Visquel is at SS.
It goes without saying how steady Visquel is at SS.
ego74:
Well stated. I had said before the season started that the additions of Vizquel, Matheny, Alou and Benitez filled each and every need the Giants had from last year. Matheny actually asked for tapes of all the pitchers before the season started and is very respected by the staff. Vizquel, although having a couple of bloopers early, is now settling into his normal nine time golden glove mode and is producing at the plate as well plus the base path. Very smart player. Alou, as stated earlier, is starting to get his timing. Unfortunately, the final piece, Benitez is gone for most, if not all, of the remainder of the season. This divisional series with the Diamondbacks should provide more information on the state of the Giants.
Well stated. I had said before the season started that the additions of Vizquel, Matheny, Alou and Benitez filled each and every need the Giants had from last year. Matheny actually asked for tapes of all the pitchers before the season started and is very respected by the staff. Vizquel, although having a couple of bloopers early, is now settling into his normal nine time golden glove mode and is producing at the plate as well plus the base path. Very smart player. Alou, as stated earlier, is starting to get his timing. Unfortunately, the final piece, Benitez is gone for most, if not all, of the remainder of the season. This divisional series with the Diamondbacks should provide more information on the state of the Giants.
OMT
Giants may pursue Jorge Julio. Not sure who they'd be willing to part with.
May. 1 - Orioles executive VP Jim Beattie has not been contacted by other teams about the availability of reliever Jorge Julio, the Arizona Republic reports. It has been rumored that the Giants, who lost closer Armando Benitez for four months because of a torn hamstring, might be interested in the former closer.
According to the Washington Post, the Orioles are willing to relinquish Julio and perhaps one of their young starters – either Erik Bedard or Daniel Cabrera – in order to land a premier starting pitcher.
Giants may pursue Jorge Julio. Not sure who they'd be willing to part with.
May. 1 - Orioles executive VP Jim Beattie has not been contacted by other teams about the availability of reliever Jorge Julio, the Arizona Republic reports. It has been rumored that the Giants, who lost closer Armando Benitez for four months because of a torn hamstring, might be interested in the former closer.
According to the Washington Post, the Orioles are willing to relinquish Julio and perhaps one of their young starters – either Erik Bedard or Daniel Cabrera – in order to land a premier starting pitcher.
