After a lackluster performance on Wednesday, just hours after hearing that one of their offensive catalysts would be suspended the rest of the way, the Giants had something to prove in San Diego and they've played like it.
Matt Cain got things started with just another terrific outing, mowing down San Diego and allowing just a run on 3 hits with 6 K's over 8 innings of work. He and Buster Posey were in sync and on the same page from pitch one and Matt Cain made it look easy. Cain built off his great start last week vs. the Rockies after his perfect game celebration, and he looks like his arm has bounced back a bit. It seemed like towards the end of July and into early August, Cain was missing high with a lot of pitches and appeared to be getting a tired arm but that hasn't been the case the last few outings for him. Hopefully this is a sign of Cain returning to his first-half dominance cause now that the offense has lost a huge piece of the puzzle, their pitching will have to pick it up down the stretch. When I say pitching staff, it's mostly aimed towards Lincecum, who I think still holds the key for this team. But also Barry Zito, who was in a little groove in July, but has again fallen back to old ways. The Giants need more than 3/5 of their rotation throwing well at the same time, it's on Timmy and Barry to step it up!
Offensively, Bochy and Sabean have to be pleased with the way the team's responded with the bats against the Padres. They had another hit parade in Friday nights game in which just about everyone in the lineup got in on, much like their victory in game two over Washington. Then on Saturday, the did much of the same, but
in comeback fashion, which is always good to see this team do. A big reason why they were able to put up some runs the last two games has been the emergence of the bottom and top half of the orders. Brandon Belt has become a big key now that he's protecting the middle order, and he continues to get the job done. Also, Marco Scutaro has been one of the Giants best RBI guys since coming over from Colorado and the other Brandon (Crawford) has steadily risen his average over the last 10 games. With Pagan hitting over .330 since returning to the top spot, and Scutaro hitting over .340 as a Giant, the top of the order is doing it's job. And with the way Belt and Crawford have stepped up lately for the bottom part, the Giants' lineup looks like it's ready to really take off when Panda gets back in synch (especially now that Pence settling in).
One of the things the Giants have had trouble with this year is coming back from 2+ run deficits and they were able to do that in game two vs. San Diego. I can't stress how important that is, on a number of fronts. Most importantly though, it keeps them in first place heading into Sunday's game and gives them the opportunity to sweep the Pads, something a good team should take advantage of.
Matt Cain got things started with just another terrific outing, mowing down San Diego and allowing just a run on 3 hits with 6 K's over 8 innings of work. He and Buster Posey were in sync and on the same page from pitch one and Matt Cain made it look easy. Cain built off his great start last week vs. the Rockies after his perfect game celebration, and he looks like his arm has bounced back a bit. It seemed like towards the end of July and into early August, Cain was missing high with a lot of pitches and appeared to be getting a tired arm but that hasn't been the case the last few outings for him. Hopefully this is a sign of Cain returning to his first-half dominance cause now that the offense has lost a huge piece of the puzzle, their pitching will have to pick it up down the stretch. When I say pitching staff, it's mostly aimed towards Lincecum, who I think still holds the key for this team. But also Barry Zito, who was in a little groove in July, but has again fallen back to old ways. The Giants need more than 3/5 of their rotation throwing well at the same time, it's on Timmy and Barry to step it up!Offensively, Bochy and Sabean have to be pleased with the way the team's responded with the bats against the Padres. They had another hit parade in Friday nights game in which just about everyone in the lineup got in on, much like their victory in game two over Washington. Then on Saturday, the did much of the same, but
in comeback fashion, which is always good to see this team do. A big reason why they were able to put up some runs the last two games has been the emergence of the bottom and top half of the orders. Brandon Belt has become a big key now that he's protecting the middle order, and he continues to get the job done. Also, Marco Scutaro has been one of the Giants best RBI guys since coming over from Colorado and the other Brandon (Crawford) has steadily risen his average over the last 10 games. With Pagan hitting over .330 since returning to the top spot, and Scutaro hitting over .340 as a Giant, the top of the order is doing it's job. And with the way Belt and Crawford have stepped up lately for the bottom part, the Giants' lineup looks like it's ready to really take off when Panda gets back in synch (especially now that Pence settling in).One of the things the Giants have had trouble with this year is coming back from 2+ run deficits and they were able to do that in game two vs. San Diego. I can't stress how important that is, on a number of fronts. Most importantly though, it keeps them in first place heading into Sunday's game and gives them the opportunity to sweep the Pads, something a good team should take advantage of.
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