What a difference a week makes.
Last Wednesday, Giants fans everywhere (myself included) were rejoicing with how well the season was going, how great the team looked. They were scoring runs, pitching well (well, except Wellemeyer). It looked like it was going to be their season, this year they would make the playoffs and their offensive troubles were over.
That was short-lived.
In the last week, the Giants have gone 1-4, they're only win coming on a day when Lincecum and the bullpen didn't give up a single run. The pitching has remained solid, with Zito, Cain, and Sanchez all being robbed of wins after pitching gems (Zito going into the 8th, giving up only 4 hits and 1 run on saturday; Cain pitching 6, giving up only 2 runs on Monday; and the best of them all, Sanchez. Last night he pitching a 1 run, 1 hit, 10 strikeout gem, only to take the loss).
So, what's happened?
Apart from a couple bullpen homeruns (which would have made no difference could the Giants have scored 1 or 2 more runs per game...so, 1 or 2 runs total), the averages have slipped. Most of them, pretty significantly. Taking a look at the main starters for the Giants, Molina and Renteria have the biggest losses in average over the last week. Last wednesday (April 14), Renteria was batting .382 and Molina was at .455. After Tuesday night (April 20), their averages stand at .296 and .351, respectively. That's a drop in average of .104 for Molina and .086 for Renteria. Keep in mind that Renteria was batting near .800 a mere 2 weeks ago and this does not bode well for the rest of the season. Neither of these guys has what it takes to start everyday and actually produce offensively. They had big bursts coming out of spring training because, at 34 (Renteria) and 35 (Molina), they were well-rested. As the season goes on, they will wear down. Again, the age of this team is already becoming a factor for them (DeRosa, 35, has already had to miss a few games because of a strained muscle. It's April).
Edgar and Bengie are not the only ones to lose some of their averages over the past week. Bowker has dropped from .250 (not great to start with) to .176. That's a loss of .074, good enough for the 3rd biggest decline on the team. Uribe has lost .024, to end up at .320 for the season and Sandoval is down .021, bringing him to a .321 average coming into today's game. While those numbers aren't anything to be worried about (yet), they are in direct correlation with the team's current losing streak. So, they are making an impact.
There have been some bright spots on the team during this stretch, however dim. Huff has managed to bring his average up, going from .273 to .288. He is also continuing to get on base, whether it be through a hit or a walk. Nate Schierholtz (who should've been starting in right field this entire season) has also raised his average. He's gone from .286 last week to .350 this week. He's also already got an outfield assist and 1 of the team's 5 stolen bases on the season. Someone tell me why, again, Bowker and Torres keep starting in place of him? (sidenote: Torres has raised his average in the last week from .000 to .111. so, in a way, he has made the biggest improvement by actually getting a hit. actually, 2 hits)
If the Giants insist on continuing with this line-up, they will continue to have numbers like this: 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position and 22 men left on base the last 3 games.
If they want to make the playoffs, those numbers need to go up. For that to happen, the age of this team needs to come down.
Jen
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
surprises
There's not much to complain about as a San Francisco Giants fan these days. Let's enjoy it all while we can.
For starters, the pitching has been about as wonderful as everyone predicted at the beginning of the season. Lincecum, no surprise, leads the team with a 1.29 ERA and 17 strikeouts in just 2 starts. However, maybe more of a surprise, is Barry Zito, 2nd on the starting staff with a 2.25 ERA in his 2 starts. Cain has struggled a bit with a 4.26 ERA, but with only 2 walks, it's nothing to worry about just yet. He'll get there. Wellemeyer is still a bit of a mystery, as he's new to this starting rotation. He was lights-out in spring training and his nerves may have played a part in his rocky 1st start this year (that, and some terrible defense behind him). However, possibly the best thing about this first week of the season has been the progression of Jonathan Sanchez. Last year, he struggled with consistency, having a terrible first half, only to be put in the bullpen, only to come roaring back with a no-hitter in his first start back. He went on to have a pretty solid second half of the season, with a 3.83 ERA after the all-star break. After a rough start last friday afternoon, Sanchez had a brilliant performance today. In 2010, he's 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA and, most impressive, he's tied with teammate Tim Lincecum for the National league lead in strikeouts with 17.
This is crucial for Sanchez. For a guy who can struggle with control, a good start is key for the rest of the season. If he can gain confidence and realize just how good his stuff is (Randy Johnson said last season that Sanchez might have the best stuff he's seen in a lefty...quite the compliment), Sanchez can be a key to this rotation. Instead of having 2 feared pitchers (Lincecum, Cain), maybe 3 (Zito on a good day), there could be 4 dominating pitchers in 1 starting rotation, easily making them the best rotation in baseball. Fingers crossed...
The second best thing to happen to the Giants this season thus far: Aubrey Huff. (Yes, I said Huff. He's made me a believer so far). Huff hasn't been as dominating hitting-wise as many expected from him, especially the power numbers (which will still not be great, given this ballpark). However, Huff gets on base. His .385 OBP, if he can maintain it, will be better than almost any Giants starter of 2009 (exception: Sandoval, at .387). Huff is being patient at the plate and taking lots of walks (something Giants hitters simply weren't aware was an option last season). If Huff can stay patient at the plate and can continue to be on-base, he can be the missing link that the Giants so desperately needed on offense last season.
It's been a solid 9 days of baseball. Here's hoping the next 173 are as good.
Jen
For starters, the pitching has been about as wonderful as everyone predicted at the beginning of the season. Lincecum, no surprise, leads the team with a 1.29 ERA and 17 strikeouts in just 2 starts. However, maybe more of a surprise, is Barry Zito, 2nd on the starting staff with a 2.25 ERA in his 2 starts. Cain has struggled a bit with a 4.26 ERA, but with only 2 walks, it's nothing to worry about just yet. He'll get there. Wellemeyer is still a bit of a mystery, as he's new to this starting rotation. He was lights-out in spring training and his nerves may have played a part in his rocky 1st start this year (that, and some terrible defense behind him). However, possibly the best thing about this first week of the season has been the progression of Jonathan Sanchez. Last year, he struggled with consistency, having a terrible first half, only to be put in the bullpen, only to come roaring back with a no-hitter in his first start back. He went on to have a pretty solid second half of the season, with a 3.83 ERA after the all-star break. After a rough start last friday afternoon, Sanchez had a brilliant performance today. In 2010, he's 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA and, most impressive, he's tied with teammate Tim Lincecum for the National league lead in strikeouts with 17.
This is crucial for Sanchez. For a guy who can struggle with control, a good start is key for the rest of the season. If he can gain confidence and realize just how good his stuff is (Randy Johnson said last season that Sanchez might have the best stuff he's seen in a lefty...quite the compliment), Sanchez can be a key to this rotation. Instead of having 2 feared pitchers (Lincecum, Cain), maybe 3 (Zito on a good day), there could be 4 dominating pitchers in 1 starting rotation, easily making them the best rotation in baseball. Fingers crossed...
The second best thing to happen to the Giants this season thus far: Aubrey Huff. (Yes, I said Huff. He's made me a believer so far). Huff hasn't been as dominating hitting-wise as many expected from him, especially the power numbers (which will still not be great, given this ballpark). However, Huff gets on base. His .385 OBP, if he can maintain it, will be better than almost any Giants starter of 2009 (exception: Sandoval, at .387). Huff is being patient at the plate and taking lots of walks (something Giants hitters simply weren't aware was an option last season). If Huff can stay patient at the plate and can continue to be on-base, he can be the missing link that the Giants so desperately needed on offense last season.
It's been a solid 9 days of baseball. Here's hoping the next 173 are as good.
Jen
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Ageism
Alright, I'm back from Africa, time to get back to work.
The baseball season is upon us! Giants started off in Houston with a 3-game series against the Astros. With 2 of their 3 best pitchers going starting in the series (Lincecum and Cain), it wasn't surprising to see a sweep. Also, the Astros just aren't very good. However, the weekend series against Atlanta will prove to be a better test for the Giants. This opponent will give a better preview of who the Giants actually are this year. And so far, despite the win yesterday, it's doesn't look great.
Despite some off-season signings designed to increase the offense, and especially the power numbers (Huff, DeRosa, Molina), this team will struggle offensively. First of all, the collective age of this team crept up significantly this off-season. From 2005-2008, when the Giants weren't making the playoffs and were finishing the season with a sub-.500 record, they're average age was always over 30. In 2005, it was 37, and they finished with a .463 winning percentage. In 2006, it was 35, with a .472 winning percentage. In 2007, it was 36, with a .438 winning percentage. 2008 brought the youthful average age of 30 and a winning percentage of .444. Last season, in 2009, the year they weren't supposed to be good, they brought home a .543 winning percentage. Almost .100 more points then the previous season. The secret to their success? Getting younger. The average age last year was 29, the first time under 30 in years, with 4 of their 8 starters under age 30 (Lewis, Burriss, Ishikawa, and Sandoval).
As most other teams are beginning to recognize over the past few years, this game is changing. It is no longer about the long-ball and the power homerun. It can't be, with the previous era being so tainted with the use of steroids. Teams had to find other ways to win. Great pitching once again became the most valuable asset in baseball and, with it, came the youth movement. For most teams anyway.
The average age of the Giants this season is 32. They have managed to replace every starter from last season who was under 30 (with the exception of Sandoval) with a guy who is over 30. That is worrisome, given their stats with a team of an average age of over 30. Guys will break down, veterans will get tired. We hope to get everything out of them now (Renteria) because, come June, who knows how they'll be feeling? Bengie Molina had only 3 homeruns during the months of June and July last year, when the Giants lost ground in their push for the playoffs. The lack of consistency with the veteran players is astounding (Rowand batted .320 in June of last year, and then struggled to bat over .200 for the rest of the year).
Hopefully, this batch of veteran players will break the mold and hit consistently and lead this team to a World Series (or, at least, the playoffs for the first time in 6 years). However, more than likely, they took a Giant step backwards in this off-season, towards the years of sub-.500 baseball.
It could be a long season by June.
Jen
The baseball season is upon us! Giants started off in Houston with a 3-game series against the Astros. With 2 of their 3 best pitchers going starting in the series (Lincecum and Cain), it wasn't surprising to see a sweep. Also, the Astros just aren't very good. However, the weekend series against Atlanta will prove to be a better test for the Giants. This opponent will give a better preview of who the Giants actually are this year. And so far, despite the win yesterday, it's doesn't look great.
Despite some off-season signings designed to increase the offense, and especially the power numbers (Huff, DeRosa, Molina), this team will struggle offensively. First of all, the collective age of this team crept up significantly this off-season. From 2005-2008, when the Giants weren't making the playoffs and were finishing the season with a sub-.500 record, they're average age was always over 30. In 2005, it was 37, and they finished with a .463 winning percentage. In 2006, it was 35, with a .472 winning percentage. In 2007, it was 36, with a .438 winning percentage. 2008 brought the youthful average age of 30 and a winning percentage of .444. Last season, in 2009, the year they weren't supposed to be good, they brought home a .543 winning percentage. Almost .100 more points then the previous season. The secret to their success? Getting younger. The average age last year was 29, the first time under 30 in years, with 4 of their 8 starters under age 30 (Lewis, Burriss, Ishikawa, and Sandoval).
As most other teams are beginning to recognize over the past few years, this game is changing. It is no longer about the long-ball and the power homerun. It can't be, with the previous era being so tainted with the use of steroids. Teams had to find other ways to win. Great pitching once again became the most valuable asset in baseball and, with it, came the youth movement. For most teams anyway.
The average age of the Giants this season is 32. They have managed to replace every starter from last season who was under 30 (with the exception of Sandoval) with a guy who is over 30. That is worrisome, given their stats with a team of an average age of over 30. Guys will break down, veterans will get tired. We hope to get everything out of them now (Renteria) because, come June, who knows how they'll be feeling? Bengie Molina had only 3 homeruns during the months of June and July last year, when the Giants lost ground in their push for the playoffs. The lack of consistency with the veteran players is astounding (Rowand batted .320 in June of last year, and then struggled to bat over .200 for the rest of the year).
Hopefully, this batch of veteran players will break the mold and hit consistently and lead this team to a World Series (or, at least, the playoffs for the first time in 6 years). However, more than likely, they took a Giant step backwards in this off-season, towards the years of sub-.500 baseball.
It could be a long season by June.
Jen
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