And Now It's Do or Die - Game 5 NLCS

I know, I know.....where have I been you ask? Well, I'm going to blame it on my job. It's a bit consuming and leaves me just wanting the couch and a bottle of Jameson at the end of the day. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I've become complacent about writing about baseball. I had wanted to try and include some Oakland A's coverage this season  (I'm still kicking myself about missing that boat) but obviously NEVER got to that. So here we are, the Giants are still  in the post season....barely making it by the hairs of their chinny chin chin. Has it been exciting? Yes! Has it been downright frustrating and embarrassing? Yes. But, hey, they're still in it and I haven't heard the fat lady yet.


What Needs to Happen....STAT:

Tonight's game is yet again, a must win situation. We've got Zito on the mound, which could be the best thing ever or saddest thing yet. I'm going with the best thing ever. Zito's season has been fabulous and has almost shut up all the haters out there. He's a yoga zen master and maybe it's finally benefited him this year....in a positive way. I'm sure that yoga zen master thing has helped him all along when he was sub par and not even a starter in the 2010 post season, but this year he kicked ass.......all with his head down, focused and ZENing out. Per the usual, the team needs to support their pitcher with runs and not all in the 9th inning with the other team ahead by 7 runs. They'll need to get on base early and need to play a little small ball. (IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE HOMERUNS PABLO!) Bunting, stealing, sacrificing and walks. Let's get on base the smartest way possible and not leave guys on first and third kicking at the dirt and staring at their cleats.

Maybe for tonight's game they should change the juju and elect Buster as the team captain cause I'm not sure how this Pence thing is working out. Let's face facts, Buster is an all around baseball player. He tackles anything given to him with tact, respect and hard work. His perseverance should be held in high regard by his teammates and with this evenings game hanging in the balance of playing another day, well another day and AT HOME lets all look to Buster as motivation.

Arias. Yes, Arias at third please. I can't think of one bad play or hit that Arias has had this season. Take the Panda out and put in Arias. Panda swings at everything. In the past week I started calling him Hit or Miss. It's a crapshoot. Have Arias in the starting lineup and see what happens.

Please, please Boch, do not have Brian Wilson pitch. I know he really wants to and he's been growing that beard since 2010 and now he's painting his nails, but I'm enjoying him down in the dugout and I like that Romo has been the closer. Believe me, I miss having Wilson as the regular closer but let's just save him for the World Series....maybe even game 1 of the WS. Tonight is too important for Wilson to have his debut. True it could be grand and what baseball history is made of, but we're on shaky ground as it is and would hate for Wilson to appear and it completely backfires on the team.

Timmy needs to stay as a middle reliever. Period.

Finally, I'd like to see the team play with the same heart and exuberance as the 2012 Oakland Athletics did. That overall team spirit was infections and it reflected the 2010 Giants season. Playing kinda scrappy baseball, winning at the end and just being stoked to be playing in the post season. I need excitement and heart folks!


Whatever happens tonight, I know Bay Area baseball is alive and kicking and that there will be bars, living rooms, gyms and even Trader Joe's stores rooting for the home team. It's Eye Of The Tiger Gigantes....go out and get 'em.

Heading In The Right Direction

    I must apologize readers. I've been in a slump. Sorta like Emmanuel Burris. I've been looking for inspiration to write about the team and haven't had much of it. It's been a month and a few weeks of yelling at the television, yelling in the stands, banging my head against the wood of a bar wondering what the F*&^% is wrong with these guys. Pitching has been great (thank goodness) although I'm a little weary of when Timmy takes the mound. Maybe he's just getting older and trying to figure out his groove. Not as easy as when you were the young rook and no one knew your pitching style or couldn't get over the fact you look like you just graduated from the 8th grade. The offense had been dreadful. Couldn't get a hit to save our lives or our pitchers for gods sake. Leaving guys on base, hitting into double plays or just popping out when you got guys on the corners = YIKES! I was counting on the pitchers to get runs for themselves. Seriously.

Here we are though, end of May, the month of Melky and his Melkmen, and we're looking like a contender! How friggin' exciting compared to last season. Yeah, we're still riddled with some major injuries to some of our favorites (WHERE'S FREDDY!!!!??????) but the guys that have been asked to fill in those shoes have really stepped it up. Arias on third base has been a blessing. His speed alone around the bases has made up for Burris's lack of anything. Don't get me wrong, when Burris can get on base, he's a force, but at this point we can't hold our breath to see when he can get on base. TRADE HIM!  Our outfield right now is outstanding. Cabrera, Pagan and Blanco. Yes please! Evey lineup please. Theriot and Pill.....they still need to prove themselves as well as Crawford, Belt and Huff Daddy. Don't even get me started on the whole Huff issue. Puh-lease. I've got theories. Our two consistent, hard working, humble catchers, Posey and Sanchez are so in tune with our pitching it's ridiculous. It's like they're Yoda down there in their squats during the games. RE-DIC!

**Speaking of Posey, please let me geek out a bit about him. Never have I seen a baseball player as popular as he is be as humble and cool as a cucumber on and off the field. His focus on the game and his team is inspiring. He's the epitome of a team player and he worked his ass off to be back in the game and with the team this year. I know he gets a lot of credit for his work ethic, but the guy seems to be a real gentlemen through and through and I'm just glad he's a San Francisco Giant.**


So, where does this leave us? I'm happy as a clam right now. Aren't you? The game they played against the Diamondbacks last night smelled of playoff hopes. It was a succinct effort. Guys were laying off pitches and taking their time. Melky was running for his life around those bases. Pagan was saluting his fellow teammate across the diamond to let him know he appreciated his efforts. Oh, and Cassila. Yeah, his at bats or shall I say his one at bat was horrific, but the guy can close a game like a champ. It seems like the magic has been trickling back into the park and now we've got a new batch of characters to talk about and I'm digging it. LET'S! GO! GI-ANTS!