Friday, October 19, 2012

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.