All of a sudden, I'm concerned about the Giants' bullpen. Brian Wilson has done yeoman's work his last two outings, Wednesday in the extra innings vs. L.A. and Saturday with 2 2/3 innings to beat the Mets. (Though that 0-2 slider to Tatis in the 8th was one of the worst pitches I've seen a Giant throw all year.)
Other than Wilson, things are a little shaky. Someone put kryptonite in Jeremy Affeldt's sock drawer, Sergio Romo is adjusting to the adjustments that the league has adjusted to make, Bob Howry is Bob Howry is Bob Howry, and....here's my point: Sign John Smoltz for the bullpen. The Red Sox are about to cut him loose. He'll be affordable. He might want to come to the West Coast and switch to relief, who knows, maybe not, but heck. Make the guy an offer. If he signs and bombs, no big deal. He might be finally done, which means he has five years to write his Hall of Fame speech. But this writer seems to think Smoltz isn't toast.
It's obvious the Giants really need another hitter. But ultimately the Giants must find more runs from within, grasshopper. No impact bat will be available and affordable at this point, and another marginal upgrade like F. Sanchez and Garko isn't going to make this offense click. With signs of bullpen problems looming, Smoltz could be the easiest and fastest upgrade this team could make.
It was an eventful weekend in New York. Let's all hope not only that David Wright recovers quickly but also that Matt Cain doesn't get freaked out. Watch closely in his next start if he has problems pitching inside.
Pablo Sandoval's home run off Santana after the obvious brushback (brushforward?) pitch was an instant entry in the Giant storybook, an amazing feat on a big stage in a stadium pulsing with emotion. Kung Fu Panda, meet Will Clark in the 1989 playoffs as he reads Greg Maddux's lips to learn the next pitch coming, which he hits over the Wrigley bleachers; meet Barry Bonds in September 1997, knocking one out against Chan Ho Park and doing a 360-degree spin in the batter's box; meet Rod Beck the very next day, getting out of a bases-loaded, no out jam vs. L.A. in extra innings in the biggest game of the year. Meet Bobby Thomson and Willie Mays.
Players of the week: Tim Lincecum gets the nod for his heartbreaking work of staggering genius Wednesday vs. L.A., with Brian Wilson the runner-up. Among batsmen, it's a toss-up between Sandoval (7 for 23, 3 BB, epic home run, double) and Bengie Molina (5 for 18, 2 BB, game-winning home run, double). Big honorable mention to Juan Uribe for his game-winning ding-dong Wednesday.
