The Giants just took 2 of 3 from one of the better teams in the National League, the New York Mets, and beat up on the Marlins in the first game of a 3 game series, 14-2. They are starting to play a lot better baseball and a major reason why has been the performance by Jeremy Accardo. Accardo has allowed only 2 earned runs and 9 hits over his last 10 games, a span of 14 innings. Accardo has silently taken the set-up spot, that was supposed to be Tim Worrell's, and ran with it. Up untill the blow up at Shea, Armondo Benitez hadn't been throwing the ball to bad either. The scary part about Benitez's season is the fact that he has blown 3 of 7 save chances. His era is in the low 2's and he is striking people out at a better rate than last season, but Giants fans are starting to see some of the explosions that Mets' fans got so used to out of Benitez. The thing that really got to me about Benitez's blown save, was the fact that all he did was laugh about it. I don't think I've ever seen a closer give up two solo home runs in an inning to blow a save, and get a kick out of it. Besides the Benitez's breakdown, the bullpen has been performing pretty well of late. Led by Accardo, the Giants' bullpen is also getting solid solid outings from Jonathen Sanchez and Brad Hennessey. Steve Kline also looks like he is starting to settle in and become that left-handed stopper out of the bullpen. If Worrell can get healthy and back on track, the Giants pen will be pretty deep.
Moises Alou is expected to be back in the starting line-up anyday now and it should provide some relief to Giants offense and to Barry Bonds in particular. Barry will likely start to see a few more days off with Moises back in the mix. I'd expect to see Barry start playing 2 games a series more often. Alou has been out since May 6th and his bat has been sorely missed in the middle of the Giants order as they really lack an identity without Alou in there. When Alou is out, there are revolving doors at the 3rd and 5th spots in the order, with Alou back, we know who will be penciled in for at least the 4 and 5 spots. I am hoping we now finally get to see a nice stretch of baseball with Alou and Bonds in the line-up together, something we have yet to see since Alou has worn the orange and black. Before I end the post I wanted to commend Jason Schmidt for earning NL pitcher of the Month for the month of May. He went 4-0 and had a 1.17 era in 6 starts and is not only looking like an ace again, but if he keeps it up, he will again be in the running for the NL Cy Young award. He has really done an exceptional job picking up the slack for Matt Morris.
Moises Alou is expected to be back in the starting line-up anyday now and it should provide some relief to Giants offense and to Barry Bonds in particular. Barry will likely start to see a few more days off with Moises back in the mix. I'd expect to see Barry start playing 2 games a series more often. Alou has been out since May 6th and his bat has been sorely missed in the middle of the Giants order as they really lack an identity without Alou in there. When Alou is out, there are revolving doors at the 3rd and 5th spots in the order, with Alou back, we know who will be penciled in for at least the 4 and 5 spots. I am hoping we now finally get to see a nice stretch of baseball with Alou and Bonds in the line-up together, something we have yet to see since Alou has worn the orange and black. Before I end the post I wanted to commend Jason Schmidt for earning NL pitcher of the Month for the month of May. He went 4-0 and had a 1.17 era in 6 starts and is not only looking like an ace again, but if he keeps it up, he will again be in the running for the NL Cy Young award. He has really done an exceptional job picking up the slack for Matt Morris.
Comments
masimundus semikonecolori