When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

04.25.2008
Because I Love to Count Things

I wrote this on April 14, almost two weeks ago:

A truer test comes in the next 10 days. First, the D-Backs arrive with three strong starters. Randy Johnson, in his first game since back surgery, is a wild card, but Micah Owings and Brandon Webb follow. Then the Giants hit the road to St. Louis and Arizona, a much better gauge of the starting pitchers’ mettle. If they continue to throw well in hitters’ parks filled with hostile fans, I’ll be impressed.

The Giants are 5–5 since that blurb. Color me impressed. They lucked out against Randy Johnson, they were shut down twice by Owings, once by Webb, and once let Webb off the hook. They bounced back from Matt Cain’s worst start ever to win two strong games in St. Loo, and bounced back from two losses in Arizona for a mini-sweep of the Padres. It wasn’t a resounding statement, but it was an indication that all is not lost.

Even better, the team is learning about their younger players. Fred Lewis has a great eye at the plate and occasional power. Eugenio Velez and John Bowker have big problems against off-speed stuff. Steve Holm is a serviceable backup catcher until further notice. Jose Castillo has a nice opposite-field stroke but terrible plate disclipline. Dan Ortmeier is… hey, where is Dan Ortmeier? He’s had seven at-bats and only played in six of the last ten games. Please give him some of Aurilia’s playing time.

The bullpen deliciousness is all well and good, a refreshing change from last year, but if Giants’ starters don’t put up more innings the relievers’ arms will start lagging. In the first 23 games, a starter has gone more than 6 innings only 5 times. To go longer, they need to reduce pitch counts. Here are the pitches per inning for each starter:

Correia 14.1
Lincecum 17.3
Cain 17.7
Zito 18.5
Sanchez 19.6

Kevin Correia, master of efficiency. He also has the longest outing of the year, 7 2/3 IP.

Who will be the first Giant starter to throw a complete game? Discuss. (Bonus points for guessing the date.)

P.S. I’ll be at the yard tonight with Laz. Come by the 1–3–8, row 3, and help us discuss what’s the matter with Adam Dunn.
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[April 25, 2008 4:19 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Mark O'Connor said

"Whassa matta wi' A-DAM DUNN?"

"He's a BUM!"

Not really. Love to have him on my team. Prediction for first CG? Matt Cain, of course. His next start at home vs. Crockies (Mon 28th). He's finding his groove, I can feel it.

[April 25, 2008 4:35 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Giants Dwarf said

Tim The Enchanter, June 13 v Oakland. 8 Ks 3 H 1 BB 0 R 126 pitches.

Just a guess, I am sure someone will come on here and tell me that with that many BBs, Ks, and Hs that it will be impossible to throw a complete game, but hey its my guess so thubbbt!

[April 25, 2008 4:49 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM replied to Giants Dwarf

Dwarf -- 3 hits and one walk doesn't seem like that many.