I know he injured his hip and groin on his slide into first.  I have looked all over the web but can not find any updated information on his condition.  Will he be ready for game 1?  Will he be limited and have to ''save his legs?"  I know he was taken out of the game, so I am looking like crazy to find out his condition.  Anybody know anything?  I sure hope the news is good.

We all want to win, we all want to go to the playoffs.  But it seems to me this is not the year to pull out the stops and make major trades in an effort to get to the playoffs. 

  I think the Giants have shown vision - a plan - over the past 3/4 years and it is starting to pay dividends - even if a little early.  The fact that we are winning here in '09 should not lead us to go for broke this year.  In fact, in my opinion, we have so many unanswered questions, we should continue to give our young players experience and evaluate them  - and, in that context, try to get to the playoffs - ie without any trades.  I think, as we look ahead to '10, '11, '12, it is important to see which of our many near prospects can be productive MLB players.  Bringing in a "Bat" only takes away ABs for guys like Ishi, Schierholtz, Lewis, Frandsen, Downs, Bowker.  I would rather clear space to get these guys as much playing time as possible over the next three months, which will allow us to make judgments about 1b, 2b, LF, RF.  As an aside, I think we will be every bit as competitive with these guys playing as we are likely to be with whoever we are likely to end up with in trade.  This prepares us much more for the coming off season as we will have a much better idea which positions we have covered and we will still be in possession of our prospects (trading chips) and cash.

to read on the S F Giants team blog that 1) the Giants are serious and expect to entertain C C in S F next weekend and, 2) they are, compared to what is available (Cantu, EE, Blalock, etc), inclined to keep Sanchez and go with Pablo and TI.  All thi ngs considered, it se ems pr etty inte lligent, for ward loo king, and sane.  Hurrah.

  I would be happy to go into ST with this team (with or without C C)

Ishi-K is quoted in the Chron (Shea's article tomorrow):

"I'm just maturing as a hitter," said Ishikawa, whose approach is noticeably improved from his first go-round with the Giants. "When I came up two years ago, even though I had some good at-bats, I felt like a deer in the headlights. I just hoped the ball would find the bat."

Interesting and encouraging.  Wouldn't it be fantastic if this guy is really ready???

No, this is not my rant that Sabean didn't trade Omar for Manny, David Wright, CC Sabathia, AND Evan Longoria. 

I was going to drive down to S D to see the G I A N T S - but you know who is pitching...  Let's see, 150 mi RT + 300 mi @ 20 MPG = 15 gal @ $4 / gal + parking + tickets = $200/250 to see a rerun of "The Nibbler strikes for the 43rd time." I can't, I just can't.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexn?blogid=22

He will be taking all 75, that is, yes, 75 ABs from Horwitz. 75 ABs, whether including walks or not or maybe it is 75 ABs and 75 chances in the field.  At any rate, he is, reportedly, on his way back to town.  Well, that is untrue in 75 ways; he is actually on his way to New 75 York.  75 New York 75.

Hot off the press.  Hot off the press.  Well, accord ing to SF Gate - and no follow -up story.  Maybe, with only 4 star ters and Zi to taking up space it becomes nece ssary to start him since it is too cum ber some to bring up some one from Fre sno. 

  This 75 word thing is  a ch a ll e ng e.

Hott off the press.  According to SFGate, Zito to start Wed nes day.

 

I know it wasn't conventional, but I'm not too committed one way or the other on Timmy's coming out to pitch the 5th inning.

There WAS something I did notice last night.  To go back to last year, I thought Tim was kind of scared, kind of uncertain, and kind of in shock that major league hitters were hitting him.

Last night was a complete turn around.  It is like he matured 6 years over the Winter.  He was much more confident, much more focused and had none of the whining when a call went against him.  I was really impressed and pleased.  'Gamer' is bullshit, but attitude, especially on the mound, is critical (see, Tomko, B).  I think this is a fantiastic development.

I discovered this by accident while reading Lefty Malo's site.  Using his contract numbers (which he posts at the far right on his page), and adding .5 mil for the rookies who have yet to make the team, I calculate that the Gmen will spend $77.5 mil (and I admit, every time I add it up I come up with a different number).  Thus, they are roughly $25 mil below their budget.  This can only be good.  It gives them flexibility to: a) eat Durhams salary, b) spend more on the draft (ie, draft Boras' clients), spend more in Latin Am and Asia.

PITCHERS
Cain (.7 M)
Lincecum
Zito (14.5 M)
Lowry (2.25 M)
Correia
        Total:  17.45 + $1.5 mil for Lincecum & Correia

Walker (.75 M)
Wilson
Hennessey (1.6 M)
Kline (1.75 M)
Chulk
Misch
Capellan
Messenger
        Total:  4.1 + $2.5 mil (.5 mil for each remaining roster spot)
                Total:  $25.5 mil

Taschner
Matos
Pichardo
Sadler
Sanchez
Threets
Valdez

CATCHERS
B. Molina (6 M)
El. Alfonzo
G. Rodriguez
            Total:  6  + .5

INFIELDERS
Aurilia (4.5 M)
Durham (7.5 M)
Vizquel (5 M)
Ortmeier
Frandsen
            Total:  17 + .5 + .5

Ishikawa
Velez
Denker

OUTFIELDERS
Roberts (6.5 M)
Rowand (12 M)
Winn (8 M)
Lewis
Davis

Schierholtz
Timpner

            Total:  26.5 + 1

OTHER Bonds ($5 M deferred from '03 + interest)
Matheny ($2 M club buyout)

The following comment comment is lifted from the Tony Clark diary:

    Re: Seriously, why all the hatin' on Tony   Clark?
    He's thirty F*ing five years old...that's why all the hatin'. One more season of Sabean's     LIES! about going with youth. One more season of patching a team together with     people that will be out of baseball in '10. One more season of not finding someone under thirty     to man one GODDAMN position on this team. Clark might help the Giants go 72-90     instead of 70-92. F*ing typical Sabean.

  While, perhaps, overstating the position of the 'Fringe,' it still seems to typify the Fringe response to anything and everything Sabean does.  This response is not only tired, but it is inaccurate and, George Bush-like, ignores all the inconvenient facts and trots out as truth the same tired assumptions and conclusions.  So, some facts are in order:

  1)  The team has cut ties with at least 5 older players in less than a year:  Feliz (33), Klesko (37), Benitez (34), Bonds (dirt), Atchison (32)
  2)  Less precise (because of 25 man vs 40 man issues), the team has added several young players within the last year: Frandsen (27), Rowand (30), Davis (27), Ort (27), Lewis (27), Schierholtz (24).
  3) Neither Sabean nor Magowan have ever said the team was going to get "young."  They have said they are going to get younger and healthier.  On its face, looking at no's 1 & 2 above, that statement is happening.  We have a young pitching staff, 2b (or is it 3b) in Frandsen, 1b in Ort, and backups in the OF who have a chance to play themselves into the lineup.  

  I don't think anyone can complain about our OF.  We have two 27 year old starting IFs.  

  Is it fair to be disappointed in the lack of movenent/improvement at 1b and 3b?  Of course.  But, while Sabean gets routinely raked, the suggestions offered on here are comical in the breadth and depth of how unrealistic they are.  Sure there are certain players some Fringites would like.  But where is the indication that any of these players are actually available?  And, more importantly, available at the prices you all are proposing?  [ie, why in the hell would Cinci give us Encarnacion for Lowry?  How is that a good trade for them?  Where is there any indication that Cinci is looking to trade this lazy, stone handed, bad attitude?]

Anyway, there are definitely numerous improvements that have been made to the team, just in the past year.  Once, of course, is assembling a very young and very good SP staff.  Second is the development of several current RP staff pitchers and RPs in the system on the verge of being able to help.  Three, is that the team has, while not on a straight, unvariable line, gotten younger and healthier - and amny other contracts are about to run out.    

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/content/sports/epaper/2007/11/29/a2c_marlins_1129.html

Sub Title:  We are TWO PLAYERS away from competing.

I am known, generally, as a Sabean supporter.  I am not especially fluent in Sabermetrics, although I do respect a number of the principles, so long as they are not applied dogmatically.  One idea I do believe is the Pythagoran model, even though I cannot tell you exactly how you calculate it.  Maybe someone will tell me how many runs = a win).  I do know, based on an '07 Pythagoran evaluation, the Giants (who gave up 720 runs and scored 683) should have been much closer to 500 than they were.  So, IMO, to look too closely at just the results of '07 can lead to a faulty understanding.  So, here is how I see our prospects for '08 (and I am trying to look at where we start and what is reasonable, as opposed, say, to trading 15 of our guys for the left side of the Mets IF - and keeping in mind Sabean's stated objective of constructing a speed-pitching-defense team):    
Last year we gave up 720 runs and scored 683. League average, BTW, would be about 740-750 runs scored. Even last year, with Morris, Benitez, Ortiz, et al, we had very good pitching. I think that SP improves in `08 by about 1 1/2 a runs a week (40 runs on the season from an improved Cain, Lincecum, and Zito and an upgrade over Morris, Ortiz, whether or not that includes Lowry). I hope, with the loss of Benitez, Taschner, and the promotion of some minor league guys, the RP improves by 1/2 run (12,13 runs) a week (altho they are ripe for a much larger improvement.  Looking at our projected '08 defense, being rid of Bonds, Aurilia, and Durham improves us another 10 runs on the season. That gets us to an improvement of 62 runs and a projected number of runs scored against us of 655-660.
Even with last year's offense (683 runs scored), we are a few games over 500.  What we need is league average offense. (Unfortunately, we are not going to get it.  I know this, we all know this).
  Still, our OF (see below for line-up and projections) is slightly above average as is catching. What drug us down last year was these IF BAs: 267 (and that was Frandsen), 260, 253, 252, 246, 218.  (forgive my almost exclusive use of BA.  I am old, raised on BA and much more conversant with it - and won't make outlandish statements based on a number, like OBP, that I am less familiar with).
  I think from Frandsen and Omar we get close to league average O.  Which means...
WE ARE TWO PLAYERS AWAY FROM COMPETING.
Unfortunately, the chances of finding those 2 league average players lie somewhere between 'slim' and `none.'
I like a lineup of:
Davis/Lewis (BA 280)
Frandsen (275)
Winn (290)
LA 1b (278?)
LA 3b (278?)
Molina (265)
Schierholtz (285)
Omar (265)

  I am very pleased we haven't signed any FAs. I was disappointed we re-signed Omar, I would have preferred a battle between Figueroa and Ochoa - w/ the $5 mil difference going to the bull pen.
I am very opposed to signing any FA OFs.  WE NEED IFs, we don"t need OFs.  Any improvement we would get would be marginal and not worth the multi-millions it would cost.  I am quite content with going into `08 as a rebuilding/evaluation year. And certainly one area where we have prospects and can afford to evaluate is the OF. I happen to think a platoon of Davis and Lewis, if they recreate last year, gives us just about as much as an A. Jones (with apologies to Evan, who wrote a nice pro AJones piece) can be expected to give us next year - for $12-18 mil less.
If we could get league average 1b and 3b, I think that lineup scores about league average (740/750 runs). And that team scores 90 runs more than it gives up. What does Pythagorus say about that?
The big unknowns are the names for 1b, 3b, and 3 RPs.  I have no problem going with Ort or Ort + RH bat at 1b, even tho that probably is a little below league average.  What is true for both 1b and 3b is there are damned few options out there, at 3b more than 1b.  We have no options in our system other than the AAAA FA Leone (880 OPS).  The minor leagues in general (at the AAA level) are barren of 3b, unless you include the pipe dream Longoria or once failed Marte.  The only other prospects are with the Dodgers or Angels (who might be a potential trade partner - if we had anything they wanted).  That leaves, basically, the Crede's of the world.  3b is a terrible hole, with nothing to throw into it.  Thus, league average O is a dreadful long shot.  Still, an improved O, D, and, especially SP gives us a very real shot of finishing over 500, somewhere in the 86-88 win category.  Unfortunately, we are likely to stay there until we can solve our IF problems.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers31oct31,1,248298.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

(thought that would get your attention)

1.  I can think of no better, surer way to ruin a site than for the members to routinely resort to mean spirited, personal, hateful attacks on posters.  The early part of the diary by Rainman, which was almost exclusively just that, personal, mean, anti-Rainmain diatribe, was really childish, insulting to intelligent discussion, depressing to read, as was the bulk of today's post about Sabean's interview that degenerated into ridiculous anti-Sabean rant.
   
2.  I give Kudos to howtheyscored for an intelligent response to Rainman's diary and I give Kudos to Rainman for not descending into the mire.
   
3.  I think it is VERY interesting that no one pointed out that Rainman's "strategy" is very much like the charicatured portrayal of Sabean's strategy.  I think that poster's, without knowing it, are seeing that Sabean has, can, and is changing.
   
4.  An important point that Rainman makes, and was picked up by a few others is that it is far, far from a foregone conclusion that '08 will be anywhere near as dreadful as '07.  Reasons:
   

  A)  Our 'expected W/L record is 8 games under 500 (at this point).  A simple regression to the mean (or expectations) and we are far less dreadful
  B)  Our SP should be significantly better next year (say 40 runs better. just eyeballing, no analysis).  Our RP should also be better (say 20-25 runs).  As Sabean wants pitching, speed, defense, our defense should be better (say 15 runs).
  C)  While we won't be the Mets or Phillies in run scoring, we can be (not a lead pipe cinch, just 'can be') better scoring runs next year:
       i) However our OF is configured, it should both be better (by a bit) and about average league-wise
       ii)  We are above league average at C.
       iii) With Frandsen starting to make adjustments, that will represent both an improvement over Durham's '07 and give us about league average O.
       iv)  That leaves 3 positions (1b, SS, 3b) to attempt upgrades/serious upgrades.  Even one above average, young player at one of those positions gives us a marked improvement (eg Lowell for Feliz, although I am hoping the player is brought in a la 96/97 with an eye toward the future).  A league average FA at one of the positions and, say Ort at 1b and this team would be markedly better than '07.  Markedly better, not necessarily playoff caliber.

     "Left-hander Noah Lowry returned to San Francisco after an examination showed a mild strain in his left elbow."  
     http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070904&content_id=2188958&vk ey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

Bochy has gone through losing seasons, and rebuilding seasons before.  What possible reason is there to trot out tonights' line-up, the one without a single prospect?
  Wouldn't he, for his own self interest (meaning next year) want to see at least two of the young OFs from here on out?  What possible benefit does he get by starting guys who are already known vs guys that need evaluation and games played?  Wouldn't he play a minimum of 2 young guys, and as many as 4?  I just cannot think of a single logical reason.

So, I'm sitting at my desk, which is about 65 miles from Dodger stadium, it's about 6:40, I'm wrapping up getting ready to go home and watch the game.  A guy I work with drops in, his friend has had car trouble and would I be interested in using the friend's 3d base loge seat?  Is the Pope Catholic?
  Fortunately all the cops are patrolling the parking, so my reckless drive is not interrupted by the messy, time consuming writing out of a citation.  We get there for the third inning.
  Impressions:
 lots of Giants fans are there.
 The team (our team) seems into it
 Omar w/ 3 doubles?  Are you kidding me?
 Lincecum was wild but effective.  
 I lost my voice screaming at Davis' throw out of Martinez.  Martinez probably made a bad decision, but Davis had to do evrything very well to throw him out.  Martinez may have been surprised Davis cut the ball off.
 $5.50 for a hot dog and $10 for a beer? And no TVs to watch while you're in the long, slow line.  And who do you think you are, McCourt?  Garlic Fries?
 Mmmm, there are some babes at the ball game.
 Bad decision to replace Aurilia (who was hurt) with Sweeney.  Might have cost them the game.
  The Frandsen 2 out single to center to score Omar was sweet.
  The Molina 2 out single to RF to score the 4th run was clutch.
  Davis' bunt single was beautiful.
  Davis' steal of 2b was, too
  It was nice to see Barry positioning Davis in the field.
  There are definite advantages to watching on TV.  eg, did Messenger get too much of the plate?
  The flash bulbs during BLBs ABs do need to be seen in person.  It is phenomenal

Since there is so much talk about roster construction and how poor ours is, I thought I would do a small comparison.
  My methodology (which would make my stats instructors cringe):  I compared the Giants to three teams we are often compared to, Braves, Padres, Tigers.  I also looked at Boston as they have MLBs best record and are largely (are they not?) sabermetrically operated.  It is not a perfect comparison as injuries, demotions, DL visits all confuse what the roster is for a given team.  I tried to look at primary players, pitchers with over 20 IP, for example.  So, there is a variation in the 'size' of rosters, which range from 23 to 26.  
  I was looking for comparisons as to ages (+ or - 30) and home grown vs acquired through trades/FAs.  The one thing I would have liked to do differently would be to break the ages off at 32 rather than 30, but I didn't want to do the entire study over.
  The study makes no attempt to grade players or to compare teams as to who has the most valuable, etc.
  Here are the results:

team        # players -30    # players 30 or +
Giants           12                        12
Detroit            9                        14
SD                  8                        13
Atl                 11                        12
Boston           11                        15

team        # drafted/home grown    # traded/FAs
Giants           11                            14
Detroit            6                            17
SD                 4                            17
Atl                13                            10
Boston            6                            20

What the Giants to for '08 seems pretty muddled, right now.  Of course, once the trade deadline passes, we'll have a better idea.
  But, I think Bonds is back and no more than one of Winn/Roberts is traded.  Thus, for the OF,, as for 3 or 4th OF, I think we play kids, altho a trade for a RH OF is not out of the question.  I also think Klesko is back.  Durham? 50-50.  Pretty clearly, unless there are a couple of fantastic 2nd halves, Pedro and Omar are gone.  
  What to do?  WE only have the 30+ Figueroa (SS, AAA) and Velez (2b, AA) who has been moved to CF.

  As far as FAs, here they are...

SS:
Royce Clayton Toronto Blue Jays SS  37  
Ramon E. Martinez Los Angeles Dodgers SS 34 T
David Eckstein St. Louis Cardinals SS  32  
Jose Hernandez Pittsburgh Pirates SS Minors 37  
John McDonald Toronto Blue Jays SS SFX 32  
Tomohiro Nioka Yomiuri Giants SS Japan 31  
Tomas Perez Chicago Cubs SS Minors 33  
Neifi Perez Detroit Tigers SS 34  
Desi Relaford Texas Rangers SS  33  
Juan Uribe Chicago White Sox SS 28  
Omar Vizquel San Francisco Giants SS  40  

Now, 3b:

Tony Batista Washington Nationals 3B 33  
Mark Bellhorn Cincinnati Reds 3B Minors 32  
Geoff Blum San Diego Padres 3B 34  
Aaron Boone Florida Marlins 3B 34  
Russell Branyan San Diego Padres 3B 31  
Jeff Cirillo Minnesota Twins 3B 37  
Pedro Feliz San Francisco Giants 3B 32  
Alex S Gonzalez Kansas City Royals 3B Minors 34  
Tony Graffanino Milwaukee Brewers 3B 35  
Andy Green Nippon Ham Fighters 3B 30 T
Cesar Izturis Chicago Cubs 3B 27 T
Corey Koskie Milwaukee Brewers 3B 34  
Mike Lowell Boston Red Sox 3B 33  
Lou Merloni Oakland Athletics 3B 36  
Abraham O. Nunez Philadelphia Phillies 3B 31  
Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees 3B 31 P
Fernando Tatis New York Mets 3B Minors 32

  Them are some slim pickins.  Solutions, anyone?  

After 70 games:  In 30 games where the winning margin was 3 or more runs, the Giants are 15-15.  In the 40 games decided by 1 or 2 runs the Giants are 15-25.  Further broken down, in April (when they had a winning month) they where 9-7.  In May, when they were 12-16, they won 3 and lost 11.  3-11.  3-11. Fuck.
  So far in June they are 3-7.  1-0, 6-5, they are losing close games.  It isn't like they have no offense.  In May, for the month, they outscored the opponents by 11 runs (the 15-2 win cancelling the 15-3 loss).  And they went 12-16.  Saber guys, is that possible?  It is uncanny.  Very unveteran.

We were observing, during the game day thread, how often Lowry gives up hits to the opposing pitcher.  (In fact, the margin of victory tonight was the RBI double he gave up to Gallardo).  So I looked back thru the games:
  He's given up 7 hits in 25 ABs to the opposing pitcher, a 280 BA

(God I hate travel days).
  Josh had a nice post about '08 FA hitters, but it didn't generate much discussion about 3b.
  For next year, we have several posions/positional players already signed (C, 2b, CF, RF). I expect Barry back and 4OF, 5OF (if we need one) to come from within (Schierholtz,Lewis, Ort, + others from AAA, AA).  So the big decisions are 1b, SS, 3b.  I expect Klesko and Aurilia to likely take care of 1b, meaning the likely decisions/action regard 3b, SS.  A-Rod is one of those available, but at $22 mil +, as much as He would be one hell of an addition, I don't see it.  Lowell may be available.
  I know, as a condition of membership on this site, Pedro hatred is required.  BUT:
  As of the middle of June, Pedro is siting at 260/292/430/722.  That ranks him 5th, 7th, 5th, 5th in those categories on the team, more or less, out of the 10/11 position players that are getting regular playing time.  He has nearly the lowest strike out rate on the team (only Benji's 11.5% K rate is lower than Pedro's.  After a dismal, Pedro-esque, April (236?257) he has rebounded with BA and OBPs for May of 263/311 and June 288/302.  
  I am not expert enough to find, let alone use WARP, VARP, or even GARP for that matter.  But in looking at THIS season (and I think last season can be ignored for a long list of reasons), altho I don't discount his career numbers), compared to other 3bmen, those numbers rank Pedro, compared to the 36 3b with more than 100 ABs:
 18th SLG
 15th HRs
 18th AVG
 33d OBP
 22nd OPS
 12th RBI
 22nd Ks [where 36th is best].
  When looking at these numbers, I think one has to keep in mind a number of the competitors platoon, thus posting their most advantageous numbers, while Pedro plays everday.
  Compated to Feliz, Lowell's numbers look very good, but I don't know what kind of ball parks he plays in or how his defense is.  I am not sure there are any good alternatives, other than Lowell and A-Rod.  I don't think Sabean is going to trade for some AAA guy who may turn out to be Lowell or may turn out to be Niekro.  Likewise, other than A-Rod (who I would move to SS, who is there that can hit and play above average defense at SS?  One of these positions needs a big upgrade, and the other guy likely stays.  They both have great D, and that is slightly more important at SS, but Pedro is not what is dragging this team down.  WE could definitely use more production from that spot, but I think what has hurt the offense is CF (Roberts/Lewis; hopefully that is rectified), 2b (will Durham come out of it?), and the backup IFs (Aurilia/Frandsen).  Durham has only one more year on his contract which makes him more attractive for trade partners, and he may go.  
  Anyway, the object of the post, following Josh's work to list FAs, I'm not seeing much in the way of alternatives to Feliz.  Or Omar, for that matter, although I think one of them will be replaced by an upgrade.
 

I thought you might enjoy this, for multiple reasons.  And I hope I am not violating any copywrite law, but this comes from the SB Sun (a local paper for a suburb of LA).

  "They tried moving career lead off man Juan Pierre to eighth in the batting order.
  "They tried promoting a chunk of their Triple-A roster, including prospects Matt Kemp and James Loney, within the past three days.  They even tried benching the slumping N Garciappara, if only for one game.
  "But after the Dodgers latest debacle, a spirit-sapping, 11-5 poundingby the ... Blud Jays... it became clear none of that was working.  So ... Little resorted to the one thing he hadn't tried - a closed door team meeting."

  At least we're not the only ones.  And they're still contending.

I looked at some stats to see if I could figure out what has happened recently.  My conclusion:  No slump, no shut outs, no failed offense.

Of course, the flaw in the logic may be in the conceptualization of the analysis.  i)  I looked at players BAs 15 games ago and ii) compared them to todays BA.  iii) I also looked at May vs June BAs.  iv)  finally, I looked at how players hit during the recent Az and Oak series.

The numbers:

player    BA/5-29    BA/6-11   MayBA   June BA
Winn       313        309       327     333
Feliz        250        256       263     273
Viz          233        235       223     276
Molina     311        309       319     324
Durham   261        255       239     231
Aurilia     224        241       176     263
Bonds      275        277       194     310
Klesko     310        309       328     304
Lewis      254        244       258     208
Frandsen  277       256       241     304

vs Az and Oak
Bonds     5 - 15
Klesko    4 - 12
Roberts   0 - 4
Lewis     1 - 10
Frandsen  1 - 13
Winn      7 - 22
Feliz     7 - 24
Viz       6 - 21
Molina    7 - 20
Durham    4 - 20
Aurilia   5 - 15

Some conclusions:
1- The team as a whole hasn't gone into the tank
2- Certain players (May vs June) are starting to hit/warm up: Feliz, Viz, Aurilia, Bonds, Frandsen)
3- There was more hitting than I anticipated in the Az,Oak series (but hidden in the numbers are a number of 0-fers).  The real black holes in those 6 disastrous games were: Roberts (just off DL), Lewis, Frandsen [that, I think is rookies facing upper echelon big league ptiching], and Durham, who was 1 - 8 vs Oak, 3 - 12 vs Az, and 3 hitless games)

Other than Roberts, Lewis, Frandsen, Durham's combined  6 - 47, the rest of the team was more or less as they have been.  I am not sure if this is good news or bad news.  I leave it to the more astute...

It's hard to see, but it's there.  That doesn't guarantee things will turn around, but:
  Tonight, their HR goes over the line by 6" - Omar's "HR" goes foul by 2'
  Of the 8 games against Az, we've lost 5, each by 1 run.  Of the 3 we won, 2 were by 1 run the other by 2 runs.  In the series they have scored 21 runs, we, 20.  We took 2 out of 3 from them at home.  Burns makes a miraculous throw; Klesko ( I think) dogs it into 3b on Sweeney's bunt.
  Several players are showing improvement/movement towards respectability:  Aurilia (I hope), Omar, Feliz, Durham, Frandsen.
  Actually, 1b is looking OK, assuming Klesko plays about 2/3 of the time (against RH starters) and Aurilia plays just against LH starters.
  Roberts will be back, healthy, in days - I think he will hit his career averages.

  This is one of those funks where everything that can go wrong, does.  We hit it hard but right at somebody; Omar yanks one, 2' foul, in a weird play, Aurilia is blocked from getting to 3b; Morris throws a great pitch and their hitter cues it off the end of the bat, advancing the runner; bench player Notgardo loses focus, allows PB advancing the runner to 2d base in late innings, usually reliable (defensively) Klesko lets one go thru his legs, Correia hangs a slider = HR.
  I don't think they are playing like shit.  I think everything - including several calls - are just going against them right now.  That is the type of thing that turns, that evens out.  Hopefully, the nubbers fall in for us, their hard hit ball hits of the wall for a harmless 2 out double, Pedro's hard smash to the OF eludes the fielder for an RBI

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/10/SPG36POUV82.DTL

Nice to see both Linden AND Benitez take their rightful share of blame.  (Hope this link works if not, story at SF Gate).

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/10/GIANTS.TMP

If anyone hears an explanation as to why neither Bonds nor Roberts got a break on that base hit into CF in WEd's afternoon game (I think it was the 8th inning golf shot by Delgado to tie the game), please let us know.  Talk about curious.  Did they lose it in the white shirts?  Pretty hard to believe they were not paying attention, but clearly there was a huge delay before either made a play towards the ball, and that seemed to allow the run to score

I made the statement in the game day thread that Linden was coming out of his slump.  I went back and checked and my recollection is wrong.  (For some reason I thought Linden had 2 3K games last week).  In actuallity, Linden was more or less at his high water mark on Apr 16, the middle Colo game, where he went 1/3 and had a BA of 278.  Since then he has had 37 ABs, with 5 hits and 20 Ks.  3 of those came last night against Glavine.  He had 4 Ks against St. Lo; and 4 against LA in LA.  Since then, except for his Glavine futility, he has been making better contact, with only one multiple K (2 Ks) game, against Az when we were swept.  Against Colo, Philly, NY, he has had 19 ABs, 2 hits, and 8 Ks, including the 3 to Glavine.  He has seen his BA plummet to 182.  The 8Ks/19ABs is somewhat of an improvement over his 12Ks/18ABs he had immediately after his 278 high water mark.
  Like it or not, Roberts' surgery means another 2-3 weeks of his starting.  Hopefully, more regular ABs + his increased making contact will lead to more base hits.  
  I will say, whoever is brought up to replace Roberts (Lewis, Shierholtz, Timpner), I hope they get in to play.  You cannot have a guy playing every day in AAA, bring him up and park him on the bench for 3 weeks then expect him to hit.  A couple of days to relax, shag some fly balls, take BP is one thing.  But ya gotta get him in while his stroke is still intact.  
  Good luck, you guys who are getting a chance (Linden + ???)

It is popular to criticize the O, and it is true we are not the '27 Yankees.  But, while the O could be better, is it as bad as is popularly believed?
  First, let me disclose my (flawed) methodology upfront:  I believe the awful 2-7 start is an aberration.  Since then, we are 12-6 and scoring runs at a 4.88/game rate, which = 790 runs per season.  (This is about what I forecast in the various preseason forecast blogs, and is up 40-50 runs over last year).  Next, since it is easier, I used the entire '07 season for our competitors and only the past 3 weeks for us.  Results:

Heroes     4.88 runs/game
Bums       4.46
SD           4.46
Colo        4.21

A few other random observations:

1.  Winn has returned to his career norms (or slightly better).  He is not likely a candidate to be replaced
   
2.  Omar and Roberts are well below career averages.  It doesn't look age related to me with Omar.  I think he, as well as Durham, needs more time off.  I think both Omar and Roberts begin to hit near their career averages as the weather warms.
   
3.  1b, actually, has been OK.  I hope we see more of Klesko vs RH starters.
   
4.  3b has been improving.  Frandsen rejoining the team, I think, means less of Feliz (moderately less) and more rest for Omar and Ray Ray (rest once every other week, each).
   
5.  Catcher.  Phenomenal clutch hitter.  The guy only has to hit 285 and be reasonably clutch.  Critics, you were wrong on this one.
   
6.  4th OF.  How do you spell disaster?  How do you spell AAAA?  Fortunately, if Linden reprises this performance over the next couple of months, he will be a bit in a trade for an established setup man and we will see Lewis or Ortmeir.  It would be nice to get more production here, but if all we get is late inning D for Bonds I can live with that.
   
7.  Sweeney is more valuable than Niekro, but I would like to get something for Niekro (maybe something like the swindle that netted us Travis Blackley).
   
8.  By and large, the top of the bench has been adequate:  Klesko/Aurilia/Feliz, Sweeney.  Linden, Niekro, see above.

Finally, it is also popular to say the 'West is weak.'  You guys read too much east coast media.  The NL West has 80% of their teams playing above 500 ball.  That is 4 out of 5 teams.  The central?  The strong NL Central?  One team.  The East? The home of the Bonds hating media East? Two.
  We have a good team.  We have a very realistic shot.  Not just for the division, but for the pennant.  Mmmmm, looking forward to Summer.