Ordinarily, I'd be writing that opening the 2010 Major League Baseball season with two dominant wins over the Houston Astros is no reason for fellow San Francisco Giant fans to get excited.
By all accounts, including a very limited eye test, Houston is going to be awful.
The offense is frail and still should be questionable even when Lance Berkman returns from the disabled list. The pitching looks shaky even if Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez pitch to expectation.
Frankly, the bullpen—probably the weakest link on paper—has been the Astros' most impressive facet thus far.
Sammy Gervacio befuddled Giant hitters in his inning of work on Opening Day, striking out two while retiring the side in order. Jeff Fulchino got a whiff and two meek grounders in his inning on Tuesday. Brandon Lyon didn't fan anyone in his, but he didn't give up any hits.
Finally, newbie closer Matt Lindstrom gave up an infield hit to John Bowker, but recorded a K in an easy ninth inning—albeit non-save ninth.
So, the bullpen looked pretty good. That's praise, but it's lean praise.
Consequently, the Giants haven't exactly been chopping down one of the Goliaths of the Show.
However, these two games can't be explained simply by saying San Francisco is mopping up a terrible baseball team.
That's part of it, but los Gigantes have beaten both Oswalt and Rodriguez. Meaning they've taken on the best of the rotation and two guys who would be front-line on almost any team in baseball.
Furthermore, both the righty-lefty combo threw well except for one wayward inning.
The ace hit a bit of a speed bump in the second stanza of the opener and SF turned it into a three-run bonanza. Wandy's trouble came in the sixth when he came unglued and slung 10 balls in 11 pitches, including nine straight to open the inning.
His 12th offering got punched into right center by Aubrey Huff to plate the first mark of a three-run rally.
Other than that crooked number, the southpaw used the double-play ball to serve donuts and cruise through the first five innings.
Of course, there's more good news under the surface of the two season-opening Giant wins.
Tim Lincecum's twinkling first start of the season has been the fodder of national headlines. The Freak showed why nobody by the Bay was worried about his uneven Spring Training by throwing seven shutout innings while posting four hits, seven strikeouts, and zero walks.
That last shred of datum should be particularly alarming for the rest of the Bigs.
Barry Zito hinted further that the San Francisco pitching will be as good as advertised in 2010.
Zito, who is an incredible 105-6 in his career and 20-2 with the Gents when receiving four or more runs of support, came out of the gates rocking the same stride with which he finished 2009. In so doing, he proved he didn't even need a full allotment of those four runs.
The Giants' southpaw went six strong innings and imitated the Franchise by hanging a bagel on the scoreboard and suffering the same four baserunners (three hits and one walk).
Zito even anted up five strikeouts for the cause, using pinpoint control to all sides of the plate with both fastball and curve. He was particularly effective using the inner half of the plate—always a good sign for a finesse guy like Barry.
Out in the bullpen, the early returns are just as encouraging.
Brandon Medders got off to a rough start, but he's the only fireman bearing that distinction.
Brian Wilson has been in his All-Star form, collecting two saves and five outs (two K's, two ground balls) on 20 pitches. Sergio Romo's been touched for a couple hits, but he's kept them from crossing the plate. Even rookie left-hander Dan Runzler got a couple outs on Tuesday.
Then there is young right-hander Waldis Joaquin, who made his season debut on Tuesday.
Unless I'm crazy, he was throwing 96-MPH sinker s and not just one or two. Maybe CSN's gun was off, but it couldn't have been off by that much.
That's Rob Nen-esque and the kid still has a new-car smell at only 23—born on Christmas Day, incidentally. This close to Easter, insert sacrilegious jokes at your own peril.
Tommy Manzella can tell you Joaquin has some control issues to flesh out. The Houston rookie can also probably tell you what his life looks like in quick summary after one of his Giant counterpart's fireballs came in on him, high and tight.
I couldn't believe he stayed in the game after wearing it on his hand. Even though it was his left, I'm guessing he's on the bench for the next couple days.
Nevertheless, Joaquin is yet another significant weapon from the San Francisco mound.
Sure, the offense has been a pleasant surprise thus far. It's cobbled together eight runs in the wins and has seen the offseason acquisitions play key roles.
Huff is 3-for-8 and made a very nice play to close out the bottom of the sixth. Mark DeRosa is 2-for-6 with two walks and a big fly while showing he's no albatross in left field. Juan Uribe is 3-for-7 and Bengie Molina has contributed with the bat while being an even bigger asset behind the dish.
But, for all the attention the vulnerable batting order gets, the 2010 San Francisco Giants are going only as far as their pitching can carry them.
So far, that's very good news.
Just remember, it's only the Houston Astros and it's only two games.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments