Maybe I'll just bounce back and forth all season on this team. Sure they've feasted on some weak teams. Sure their home record is obscene. Sure, Lincecum and Cain and pray for rain sounds catchy. And, sure, Pablo Sandoval looks more and more like the real deal.
But as of this morning, the 25th of June, your San Francisco Giants have the third best record in the National League, the sixth best in all of baseball, and are seven games over .500 with a paltry +11 runs scored differential. How have they done this seemingly impossible task?
Put simply, they've pitched their asses off. Lincecum and Cain, in particular, have absolutely carried the team. In the month of June, Matt Cain is 3-0, having thrown 28 innings and allowed only 18 hits and 7 earned runs, good for a 2.22 ERA. Lincecum has thrown 39 inning, allowed 33 hits and just 8 ru
ns, good for a 1.82 ERA.
All told, this team just may be coming together. On May 25th, the Giants were 21-23, and had scored 172 runs and allowed 182. (3.9 runs scored, 4 runs allowed) Since then, in 27 games, they've scored 109 runs and allowed 88, an average game score of 4.03 to 3.25. An average game score like that translates into a .605 winning percentage, which means they have outperformed their expected wins by less than two, because over that span of 27 games, they've gone 18-9. Since May 25th, only the Colorado Rockies, beneficiaries of an 11-game winning streak, have a better record, in the entire National League. In fact, since May 25th, the Giants have the second best record in all of baseball.
SINCE MAY 25TH, THE SF GIANTS HAVE THE SECOND BEST RECORD IN ALL OF BASEBALL
I thought I'd put it out there loud and proud. 
Small Sample Size Alert!
Thoughts on Martinez as #5 once his head clears?
If Sanchez could give us ANYTHING we’d be putting together some real win streaks. I think it’s time to consider throwing him in the pen to work out his issues and bring up someone like Sosa or Pucteas. They can’t be any worse that’s for sure.
I compared their lineup to an expansion team and couldn’t have been more wrong.
They could be writing themselves one hell of a story.
btw, anyone here know if Romo can start?
He was a starter in College at Mesa State (DII). He was RMAC pitcher of the year at 12-1 with other little league numbers to match. Mesa State, while DII is a traditional DII baseball prestige program.
He is primarily a two pitch pitcher and that frisbee-cutter whatever the hell that thing is he throws is NASTY. He has the stamina and strength even though he is not much bigger than Lincecum..but I don’t think he has more than those two pitches and second time through the order, not to mention third time would be problematical.
I really like him where he is. His command and k/bb (5.00) and k/9 (9.35/ in 43.1 innings over 38 games in his limited career beginning at the end of last year is stellar. His pitches must have some sort of cock-shot repellent because everything he puts up there hits a corner. The one that did not the other night got sent out to the right field cheap seats in Oakland.
+mia,
Totally agree about Romo. Another diamond in the rough. He will be our set-up guy with Affeldt…and brings a nice change of pace with Wilson. You’re right about Mesa State….used to be a JC years ago…but is a powerhouse baseball program. The JUCO(Junior College) world series is played at Mesa State. Grand Junction is a good baseball town.
Romo too valuable in the pen…and the 3rd time through would diminish his effectiveness.
I’ll give Zito a C+…but waiting for you to upgrade our pen to an A. Only the Red Sox have as good a pen as ours.
I’m predicting a collapse of the Phils…and the Mets are too beat up(even with Santana) to stay in the race. I feel the Marlins should take the East…if they can quit kicking the ball around.
Winning can erase many bad memories….Sabean and all.
If the guy ranks somewhere amongst the bottom one-third amongst his peers in so many categories, and is only one from the bottom in of the leagues in losses to Sanchez’ 8 (not in and of itself a big deal, but it is something to look at) how do you rate him a C+? He’s had a good stretch the last few weeks as stated, but still dood…the guy is going to have to show me a lot more than this. A lot more.
And I would rank the pen an A except for Howry, Medders and Valdez. They account for about 40% of the Bullpen innings (79 out of 197) They’re C and bring Wilson, Affeldt, Romo, Miller down. Thats why I considered them a B overall. Granted the top guys are getting the higher stress innings, but thats is as it should be. If Valdez and particularly Howry can catch fire, than the bullpen can turn these games into 6+ inning affairs. Which is what I recall the White Sox did in 2005 when they surprised everybody. They got a ton out of their number 5 starter(s) El Duque/Brandon McCarthy 197 innings of 15/32 Quality Starts.
I think this is why it so important for Sanchez(or his replacement) to get his act turned around. He is the key since it appears highly unlikely that the Giants will be able to come up with impactful bats to add from the outside. If Sanchez can find his command/mound deportment, or at least enough to allow the Giants to break even in the remainder of his possible 20 starts this year, then the Giants could possibly continue to exploit superior pitching to their advantage and hide thier offensive and defensive deficiencies…at least during the regular season.
+mia,
Amen about Sanchez. I’ve posted a couple times in the past “if only Sanchez could turn it around”….If only…and you’re spot on about Howry. Medders for the most part is a B…and Valdez a B-….and Romo will only get better with time.
I must thank you for getting back to watching the Gigantes…as with MLB Extra’s…there’s just too many good games to choose from. Watching so many other teams gives me a good perspective on how good the Gigantes are. With so many teams playing pooly…and parity in the NL Central and East(Nats excluded) the Gigantes have the inside track to the Wild Card. Agree with your assessment on Torre chewing up the pen, and there’s an outside chance at the division if the Dodgers come back to earth.
Good match-up tonight(Cain vs Gallardo). Getting jacked up again on the Gigantes…it’s been a while since I felt this good in June about baseball.
Stay hot Gigantes.
I just noticed yesterday how hot Lincecum & Cain have been pitching and the Giants were leading the NL Wild Card. I can’t help but wonder… what the offense would be like if they had Manny Ramirez for the 2nd half… but then I’m like, “it looks like they don’t need the drama or the bat” if they keeping winning like this.
Actually – I’ll pick this nit while I have the chance – for the moment, they have the SECOND best record in the NL – .549 to the Cards .548. No big thing, but enjoy it while we can.
John,
Good man…good to see you loud and proud about the Gigantes…and giving them some well deserved credit. This team plays like it expects to win…and their pitching will keep them in most games. I realize most of this is the fan in me…but, I’ve been posting all along that the wild card is theirs to lose. I feel this is a playoff team…and watching most of the other teams weekly…only Dodgers are better in the NL….and you can never count out the Rocks. I was dead wrong about the NL West…it might be the best. The Mets are decimated with injuries…and the Cubbies are the most over-rated team in baseball. The Phils bull pen is horrible. The Cards and Brewers are good teams…so this road trip will be tough. It’s good we’re going in hot to play these guys.
I’ve been pumping Sandoval since Sept last year. Many of my in-laws are Venezuelan, and they’ve been telling me about this guy for three years. He is the real deal…and I think he is smart enough to know his weight will cost him millions…and that issue will be dealt with. Maybe everyone should have a eating disorder…and put up his numbers.
Sorry to disagree with Walter Guest…but, Sandoval needs to play 3b…and dealing Posey before you know what you have….is downright insane.
+mia,
The only D pitcher on the Gigantes is Sanchez…and the bull pen is a A to A- if you are grading on a curve. That is…comparing to league standards. Good thing we don’t have Lidge as a closer….and unless he turns it around…the Phils are toast.
Unc Joe was right about TI…give him some time to prove himself. He’s not ready for the prime time as a daily player…yet. But, he may well be on his way. He’s made some incredible adjustments with his swing…and the low inside no longer seems to be a problem.
Stay hot Gigantes.
Sanchez is struggling. The jury is out. Close. But still no decision. As for Zito, lets take a brief look at how he stacks up.
In The NL, there are 42 Starting Pitchers who have pitched 80 or more innings this year. About 1.1 innings per scheduled game as of yesterday. Core starters. Here is where Zito ranks amongst his peers in the National League.
Rank
28/42 in OPS against.761
22/42 in BAA .259
30/42 in ERA .4.54
20/42 in K/9 6.80
31/42 in K/BB 1.70
36/42 in WHIP 1.44
3/42 in pitches per inning at 17.2. And people wonder why the defense goes to sleep behind him?
So how does this compare to this guy?
Rank
14/42 in OPS against–.699
14/42 in BAA .248
26/42 in ERA 4.26
19/42 in K/9 6.83
19/42 in K/BB 2.26
14/42 in WHIP 1/26 (Matt Cain is 13/42 at 1.21 just for comparison)
16/42 in pitches per inning at 16.2
I don’t think anybody would classify Kevin Corriea a B pitcher and thats what you would have to do to classify Zito a C.
Zito’s nice little effort here in the past few weeks is appreciated for sure. And I hope he continues. But it would take two years of Cy Young type work to offset the huge problem his contract and massive underachievement has cost this franchise. Frankly the sight of his deer in the headlights look whenever he has a runner on base makes me want to punch something.
+mia,
Zito’s contract is a major problem for sure. Just as long as he can pitch enough quality starts this year to keep us in the race…that’s all we can ask for. Let’s keep winning and deal with that situation later. Maybe he can pitch well enough to be trade bait in the future. I realize this is a pipe dream…because his contract must eat away at guys like Cain and Lincecum.
Bah. Humbug
Actually, kind of reminds me of 1987. Had not been to the playoffs since 1971. They were 35 and 35 after 70 games with Krukow, Dravecky, Reuchel, Robinson and Hammaker. Winning the division in 1987 seemed about as likely (after being two years removed from 100 losses) as Don Drysdale being elected to the Giants HOF.
I’d say wait a week until this road trip is over before pronouncing them “serious” contenders. I’m actually holding off until their nasty roadtrip back east in August. Hopefully by that time the Dodgers bullpen will have exploded and the Giants have settled on a steady starting eight, which it appears with the emergence of Shierholz and unforeseen improvement of Ishikawa they have.
Thats the baseball side. The fan side is with John on this.
The last 4 weeks have been the best four weeks since Lamar was shown the door.
Winning always beats losing. Losing is the worst. If you win 40 and lose 10, it is the 10 losses that one ruminates over unfortunately.
Enjoy and hope for the best starting Friday night in Seligville.
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[...] John Perricone points out that since May 25th the Giants have the 2nd best record in baseball. [...]