Obviously Pos is the key guy and he's still out.  Does anyone have an estimated return game?

But what happened with Keith Ellison and Kawika Mitchell last week?  Did someone zap them with a transmogrifier and switch their bodies?  Isn't Ellison normally the WLB and Mitchell the SLB, with Buggs (trying to) hold down the fort until Posluszny returns.  But Ellison has been getting all the tackles, until last week.  Against Miami, who runs the ball more than the Giants, Ellison barely made an appearance while Mitchell and Buggs led the team in tackles. 

The starting lineup as printed by NFL gamebooks showed Ellison as the SLB and Mitchell as WLB.  Did they actually change the LB roles last week?  It sure didn't seem to work.  Anyone know?

Is it too late to get Takeo back?

<crickets>

<more crickets>

um, how about Brian Wilson is bad for people with weak hearts?  

But good for those too lazy or busy to put in a cardio workout during the day.

Barry Zito has a 1.92 ERA and 1.14 WHIP since the all star break, 3.0 BB/9 (career best), 7.2 K/9 (tops since 2001).

Sanchez has a 3.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP since the break, 4.5 BB/9, 11.1 K/9 (career high). I guess I'd like to see Sanchez drop his walk rate even lower, to a BB/9 rate in the 3's.  In 5 July starts, he actually had a 2.6 BB/9 rate, which led to him posting a 0.76 WHIP on the month.

Penny comes in and throws 8 shutout innings. Against the Phillies. At Citizens Bank.  I dont' think there's anything I can complain aobut there, unless it's non-pitching related in wishing that Alyssa Milano was would join Lou the Seal in cheering games on from the top of the Dugout. Wearing a cheerleading uniform. Or French maid outfit.

Cain's ERA has bumped up slightly since the break, at 2.71.  WHIP's dropped to 1.04 as his BB/9 has fallen to 2.3 (another career best). His K/9 since the break is 6.2, the lowest since his rookie year.  Which was also the year he had his best ERA.  I see nothing wrong in pitching to weak contact, though while his BAA is lower, he's given up a few more HRs the past few months, having a HR/9 > 1.0, which would be a career high.

Lincecum's just been a slacker.  The nerve to not have the lowest ERA on the team since the break.  He's got a 2.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.4 K/9.  (Both those are worse than 1st half, when he was 2.5 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9. Again I tell you, he's been a slacker!)

The bullpen's had a couple meltdowns, but on the whole, they're still solid.

I know!  Our pitches can't hit the ball well enough! Why can't they hit like Micah Owings!

(Sure glad they don't pitch like Owings though).

If the Giants start juggling their rotation starting next week, he could get in 2 extra starts, with his last start on the final day of the regular season. Or, if the Giants aren't desperate to have him pitch the final day, he could say have at least 4 days rest and still have his last start, on 10/1 or 10/2, same as if the Giants stay with a 5 man rotation the rest of the way, and be rested for (not to look too far forward or jinx anything) Game 1 of the NLDS.  In my opinion, if the Giants really think they're in the race this year, they have to do that.  The key date is Monday 8/17 in Citi Field, to see whether Tim's pitching that game on 4 days rest and skip the #5 pitcher until the 1st game of the Colorado series on 8/21, or if they stay with a 5 man rotation and Lincecum doesn't pitch until Tue 8/18 @ Great American.  I'd be amazed to see Lincecum *not* pitch on 8/17, as if he does go on 8/17 the Giants schedule is then perfectly set to allow the #5 pitcher to be skipped on 8/17 and then the 8/31 rest day.  The #5 pitcher could again be skipped on the open rest day of 9/10.

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