Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Giants Take Opener in Chicago

After a rain delay, Matt Cain came in and did what he does best: pitch. He pitched fantastically: 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K. This has come to be expected of him, and every Giants starter for that matter, 'cause they've all set high standards. Unfortunately, Carlos Zambrano matched Cain's outing, also going six scoreless innings. In the 8th, the game remained tied. At least, until Buster Posey stepped to the plate. He hit a shot to deep center that carried and carried until finally clearing the Wrigley Field fence, landing on the wiring at the top of the ivy.

What a game. This was the Giants' 50th one-run game of the season. They've played fifty of those tight, intense games. That's basically a third of their season. To go through that on a routine basis, and stay strong throughout, not giving into all the pressure, is a testament to the strength of this Giants team. Their starters go out to the mound in scoreless games and keep it that way as long as humanly possible. That's why they're still in the playoff race. Pitching like Matt Cain's effort on Wednesday night. Without Cain, the rotation would be lost. Throughout all of their struggles and growing pains, he's been the one stable, consistent horse on the mound. The stopper. The ace even, as supported by the fact that his 3.00 ERA is the best among their starters.

The Giants continue to miss opportunities at the plate: they failed to score runs in the 2nd and 5th innings after loading the bases. At this point, though, it really doesn't matter. What matters is the numbers up on the scoreboard. They determine the Giants' fate. As long as they can get that winning run across, it doesn't matter if they only score three runs, two runs, or one run a game. With 11 games left, it does not matter how they win, just that they win.

They do have a little help for their offense, though, and that is the strength of their bullpen. If the Giants' bullpen was not so strong, Bruce Bochy would be hesitant to pull pitchers like Lincecum and Cain after only five or six innings; but because the bullpen is so lights-out, when a pitcher's spot comes up in the order at a potential run-scoring opportunity (or to lead off the inning, in today's case), Bochy can put a pinch hitter in the game, to add a little offense, and trust that his bullpen will not allow another run.

Notes:
  • The Giants have a 1.57 ERA in September. They have a legitimate shot at posting their first sub-2.00 ERA in a month since May of 1989. That's how good this staff is. Over their last 10 games, Giants starters have an ERA of 1.33...
  • After losing two of three from Milwaukee at home, it's hard to notice that the Giants are still on a roll (somewhat). They've won 13 of their last 19 games now. 
  • The Giants have now allowed three runs or fewer in 15 straight games
  • The Giants' bullpen did not allow a single baserunner on Wednesday. They are on fire. Lights-out, unstoppable, shutdown, etc. Their ERA in September: 0.59...
Tomorrow: Jonathan Sanchez will face Randy Wells. The way Sanchez has pitched lately, I'd be surprised if he allows more than two runs in his start. He's allowed that many earned runs over his last 27 innings pitched. Now, Randy Wells...let's see...last time he faced the Giants...he put up this line: 5 IP, 8 H, 3 HR, 6 ER. I'm thinking this could be Chris Narveson all over again. 

Lastly, Buster Posey. He deserves the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Hands down. The impact that he has had on this team as their cleanup hitter, and as the guy behind the plate catching such a great pitching staff, is simply incredible. Since his call-up, the rotation and bullpen have stabilized, achieving consistency, and the lineup has become twice as potent. He's hit for average, and to all parts of the field with power.