In a town that knows how to party, San Francisco Giants fans are throwing an after—party by the bay, thrilled by the Giants' captivating postseason play. In every sense, the city has been a lively, festive place as Halloween looms closer and die-hard fans don costumes or row into McCovey Cove, a waterway behind the ballpark's right field bleachers.
Lately, every night has felt like a party in the Bay Area, and it has been fun to watch the World Series generate both action—packed drama and a beautiful tale.
On another pleasant night, the Giants continued their push to World Series victory with nearly every swing.
The wildest and most raucous fans in the majors waved orange pom-poms in the stands and were even more exhilarated to cheer on a 9-0 Giants' shutout over the Rangers that gave the the NL West Champions a 2-0 series lead.
For once Thursday night, the Giants were taken seriously and capped one of the most lopsided wins in recent World Series history.
What we learned after this game is that Matt Cain is the latest version of Mr. October.
His curly hairstyle reminds us of Larry from the Three Stooges, but his untouchable pitches remind us of a Most Valuable Player. For six—plus innings, he looked spectacular with his usual fastball and incredible calm on the mound. He could easily be named the next World Series MVP if the Giants win a title.
The Rangers were 0-7 with runners in scoring position against Cain, who made a vivid statement that he is the best pitcher this fall, clearly better than Roy Halladay or Tim Lincecum.
For Cain, of course, it was another flawless start.
He remains untouchable and has not allowed an earned run thus far in the postseason. That feat is a rarity in the postseason, but not when Cain is locating his fastball and casting intimidating stares at the Rangers' powerful lineup.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good situation,” Cain said. “We’ve just got to take that confidence and some of the good approaches that we’ve had into these last two games and take them down to Texas with us.”
When he left the game following 7.1 sterling innings, to be anointed with a standing ovation, he tipped his cap to the energized fan base.
One fan hoisted a sign that read, “Cain’t touch this.”
Cain is barely 26 but is already close to winning his first World Series. He’s barely in his prime, but his legend is growing rapidly with a franchise that could eventually lavish him with an enormous deal.
With all the drama, he’s more valuable than Lincecum, the ace of the Giants but who's been overshadowed by a superior starter in Cain.
Finally, this year, Cain, the longest-tenured Giant, is pitching a gem, no longer relying on luck or talent.
Last season, Cain was mentored by Randy Johnson, who taught him about being a starter. Cain must have listened; he is arguably the best pitcher on the Giants alongside Lincecum and the frightening closer Brian Wilson.
“He did a really good job of emphasizing to stay deep in the game…instead of trying to change the ball in different guys’ hands,” Cain said. “Not trying to say anything…but sometimes those guys might not be feeling good.”
This postseason, no one can match Cain’s resiliency and invincibility.
He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 21.1 innings and owns a 2-0 record in his first three postseason starts. Thirty—five—year—old Edgar Renteria drove a fastball off C.J. Wilson over the left-field wall for a fifth-inning solo home run. But the real damage came in the eighth inning, the one inning that seemed to be a nightmare from Hell. As Wilson was removed from the sixth with a blister, Cain found his moment to shine.
“He’s probably been our most consistent pitcher,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “He’s such a bulldog…He should be recognized.”
By now, he’s recognized.
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