It's tough to figure out what to make of this series. The Giants lost 2 out of three to the worst team in the National League. Their offense looked lost at times, but last night they managed to scrape together 5 runs. Matt Cain had his shortest outing of the season allowing 7 runs in 2 2/3 innings.
Are the Giants a team that isn't very good? Did the law of averages finally catch up to them? Is the Giants pitching staff in trouble?
The Giants at this point in the season are just pretty good. They aren't a great team. Sure they have great starting pitching but beyond that they are mediocre at best. The offense is at times terrible and at times pretty good. There are a few guys in the bullpen who are somewhat reliable and there are a couple of guys who have just been disasters. Brian Wilson has been pretty much lights out closing games, but lately the Giants have had trouble getting the lead to Wilson in the first place.
The law of averages did catch up to the Giants a little bit here. On Monday the Giants won their 9th game in a row against the Astros dating back to last season. The Astros had to beat the Giants sometime. Sure, it would have been nice for a season sweep of the Astros but those are rare and 7-2 against a team over an entire season would fall under the category of domination.
The pitching staff will be fine. Again, it's a little bit of the law of averages here. Barry Zito has been pretty much lights out against the Astros in his career so a rough outing against them was inevitable. Cain had been lights out against everybody recently so he was due for a little correction too. Plus he may just have trouble against Houston or trouble pitching in Houston. In his fist start of the season, Cain gave up 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings which, up until last night was his second worst outing of the season. He had a no decision in that game and the Giants eventually won 10-4
So you can see how tough it is to gauge much from this series because it does not necessarily reflect how the Giants may be playing but it was just something that was going to happen sooner or later.
Some notes from the game:
Aaron Rowand was 3 for 3 so he will be starting for the next week I am sure. He could have been 0 for 10 last night however and would have still started tomorrow against Tim Wakefield whom he owns an impressive .647 average against. Overall against Wakefield he is 11 for 17 with 4 home runs and a double. As bad as Rowand has been lately those kind of career numbers against a guy demand that he plays against him.
Edgar Renteria had 2 more hits last night. If this guy keeps hitting like this all season then the Giants will be extremely happy. Hopefully he can make us forget last year. Also hopefully it doesn't earn him a 2 year contract extension.
Pat Burrell hit another homer.
Bruce Bochy has stated that Buster Posey will catch at least once a week. This is good news and it probably mean that he will be catching Joe Martinez. Or, hopefully, Madison Bumgarner but at this point it seems pretty likely that J.Mart will get the start on Saturday. Madbum is scheduled to start tonight in Fresno so if he doesn't pitch tonight it may be a good indication on who starts Saturday.
Nate watch:
Nate wasted away a little more on the bench. Rowand's 3 for 3 day almost guaranteed he won't get another start for at least a week unless someone gets hurt.
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