The 2009 Giants are 64-54: Seeing Reds

After a collective "whew!" from Giants fans, happy with a split with the Mets, looking back, we were one homer (by someone who did not hit a homer in a year!) away from being 3-1 in the series. Heard that on morning show on KNBR, Kuip noted it. And dang if he weren't right. And if we spread those 10 runs across the other games, and we could have swept.

Only, we can't do that. Just be happy we got the split and that we are now only 5.5 games back.

Against the Reds, I would probably normally say that we have a good chance to win except that this is the Reds park, one of the best hitter's park in the majors. So you never know when it will blow up in a pitcher's face.

Plus, while Lincecum should beat Homer Bailey, Zito will have a hard time since he's up against Arroyo, plus he's a flyball pitcher in a ballpark that gives up a lot of HRs (2 starts in career, 10+ ERA), and Matt Cain is up against Harang, who pitches very well at home. We could be just as easily 1-2 as we could be 2-1.

The only good thing is that maybe Giants fans won't complain so bitterly about the offense since they should generate some good offense here, while the Mets new home park is a strong pitcher's park, from what I've read and heard about the park.

All righties, but I expect Garko to get all the starts because it's a good park to get out of an offensive funk and, well, that is how Bochy has been playing it since the Giants traded for Garko and said that both players were in the Giants plans for the future. The only way that worked was if Garko either played LF or C when not platooning with Ishikawa at 1B, and neither has happened so far.

I also expect Schierholtz to sit. Rowand had a nice day, Velez continues to be hot, and Winn had a nice day. And he hasn't really hit that well while starting, hot for a while then cold as ice. So I'm OK with this as long as he's our RF from 2010 and beyond (assuming he can hit well enough to keep the position; I think he can).

Too bad Bochy didn't give the speech before the first game in NY, instead of just before the last game.

Word of Caution to G-fans

Watch Homer Bailey carefully. He's an example of what could happen with Bumgarner. Young, great in the minors, rose like a shot, projected for greatness. But for some reason, once up here, just couldn't put it together. Still hasn't. So while I think it is safe to talk about him in our rotation, just be aware that it can go horribly wrong sometimes.