The Giants sit an amazing 7.5 games out of first and will try to trim that lead facing the Indians. I say amazing because if you told me before the season started the Giants would be only 7.5 games out, I would have called you a ****ing dumbass but the NL West has really been disappointing so far. I believe the Giants can really make a run for a while and will explain in a piece tomorrow. The Giants sit at 32-44 while Cleveland is 35-41.
Game One- Jonathan Sanchez (6-4, 4.23 ERA) vs Aaron Laffey (4-4, 298 ERA). Sanchez did well in his last start but got the loss anyway. He went seven innings, gave up three runs while striking out eight and walking three. Sanchez is 10th in the NL in strikeouts, one of three Giants starters in the top 10. Laffey went six innings giving up three runs in his last starter. This should be a good game.
Game Two- Barry Zito (2-11, 6.32 ERA) vs Jeremy Sowers (0-2, 6.57 ERA). Zito had a good May after being sent to the bullpen where he never appeared as a reliever. June has been a different story. Zito gave up five earned runs and walked four in just two innings of work in his last start. The only thing going for him is that he is 5-3 with a ERA of 2.71 ERA lifetime against the Indians. Boy have things changed since then. Sowers is really struggling this year giving up eighteen runs in twenty four innings pitched.
Game Three- Matt Cain (4-5, 4.31 ERA) vs Cliff Lee (10-1, 2.45 ERA). Power versus finesse. This is the game I am most looking forward to. Cain went eight strong giving up three runs and striking out eight in his last start. Cain is sixth in strikeouts in the NL and should go up the ranks after this game. Lee has been just a beast this year giving the opposition nothing. Giants will have their hands full.
Giants have got to start hitting when it counts. The Giants have just a .224 BA with RISP and two outs. They are hitting just .253 with RISP. That is pathetic especially when you have five starters hitting over. 290. Bowker has got to stop swinging at the first pitch and Bochy has got to do a better job with the bullpen. Steve Holm also needs to bounce back and starting hitting again. Vizquel on the bench helps and Chulk's absence does too. Lets hope for two of three but think we will only get one. Go Giants!!