Deadline Hangover Bites SF

Last year we saw the Giants swing a big time deal for Carlos Beltran at the end of July and never quite got things going with him. Hopefully, they figure things out quicker with their newest acquisition.

Pence hit-less in 2 games

It's only been two games since the Giants made the big splash to get Hunter Pence, but so far they haven't gotten the reaction they were hoping for out of their offense. They started this tail-spin vs. LA last weekend, and surprisingly still have a grip on first place, but they have to get right on this trip. Pence looked a little over-amped in game one after being greeted by a thunderous standing ovation Wednesday night, and didn't fair much better in game two, but he did just miss hitting two balls into the left-field seats. He drove in his first run as a Giant as well Thursday and I can tell he's starting to settle in. I think this road trip is coming at a perfect time for Pence and the Giants. Typically a road trip isn't what the doctor orders for a team struggling to score, but I think it could alleviate some pressure off the sputtering offense. Not only did they just go through an abysmal 3-7 home stand and could use a change of scenery, but now Pence will get some at bats away from the new home crowd which should also take a ton of pressure off. The Giants are going to need some other guys to step up on this trip though, and shouldn't be looking at the new right fielder as the savior.

The Giants did make a few roster moves before game four on Thursday, activating both Hector Sanchez and Shane Loux from the DL. They made way for the two players by demoting Justin Christian and Eli Whiteside, leaving them with a 13-man staff after their bullpen was taxed over the home stand. Sanchez

Sanchez activated

stepped right into the starting lineup on Thursday and it wouldn't surprise me if we start to see a lot more of the young backstop, at least until Pablo Sandoval returns. Buster Posey has been getting all the reps at catcher since Sanchez went on the DL in mid-July, but before that happened, Bochy was experimenting often with using Posey at first and Sanchez behind the plate. This really puts the pressure on Brandon Belt, who's got the most to lose and is entering put up or shut up time. The same can be said for Brandon Crawford as well. Marco Scutaro has had some up-and-down moments for the Giants already, but one thing he's proven is he can swing the bat and he needs to be out there every day. Bochy has slotted him in at third in Pablo's absence, but Scutaro could be on his way to shortstop in a few weeks. The pressure is one the youngsters now more than ever!

They're still trying to figure things out with their new players, and will have to again when they get Pablo back, but it will happen. We've got a long two months left in this season, and it will be fun to watch these guys learn to play together over the next few weeks. No time to panic Giants fans, this isn't the 2011 all over again!