Game 1: Giants Lose Opener to Dodgers 2-1,

Lincecum pitched 7, allowed 0 earned runs, 5 k's but loses due to walks and shady defense.

Burell goes yard.  Dodgers' Kershaw looks good.  Not scary good, but way decent good.  Latos-good.

I listened to the first 3 on the radio in the car, on my way to buy a new ukulele.  Then sort of followed the game on my phone and peeking around the corner into the bar at Noriega Pizza. 

aside from what looked like butterflies, thought they looked good.  Belt looked good, 1 for 3 with a walk, worked a couple counts.  Sandoval seemed to be playing light on his feet at 3rd.

All in all, a positive loss.  2-1 is just a pitchers' duel and Timmy was a little less perfect than Kershaw.  Dammit.

Time to get ready for a long season.  Oh, BTW, we got Jonathan Sanchez tomorrow, it'd be nice to take 3 out of 4, I'll settle for 2 on the road though (Z's pitching Sunday and he got a bonked head).

World Series Last Batter

In these last few moments of relevence before the long ass season begins

T-minus 53 minutes

Opening Day Lineup

Torres CF
Sanchez 2B
Huff RF
Posey C
Burrell LF
Tejada SS
Belt 1B
Sandoval 3B
Lincecum P

Final thoughts before first pitch

The Giants tap into something awfully primal in my soul.

Every year, the Giants are vastly underrated.  Sometimes they underachieve, sometimes they get hurt, and sometimes they disappoint, but my expectations are alwayts high.

I was nervous that a world championship would institute a sort of indifference in my attitude towards this team.  After all, once they've won, where would that fervent desire and chip on ym shoulder come from.

AND THEN, I PUT UP ALL OFF SEASONM WITH NATIONAL D-BAGS TALKING ABOUT HOW THE BEST PITCHING STAFF IN THE MLB WAS COMPOSED OF 4 GUYS THAT ALL LOST TO THE GIANTS IN THE POST SEASON!

So, there's that.

Fact is, I'm more expectant than ever now.  2008 was a season that compeltely lost my interest by late July.

2009 brought tears to my eyes with SAnchie's no-no and Panda Bear's incredible hitting.  And Timmy's Cy Young.

2010 started with the expectation for play-offs.  I cursed DeRosa early, I cursed SAbean and Bochy.  Then I lauded them for Posey.  I struggled with Timmy in August, and, after one loss to the Dodgers in September, I cried in agony into a pillow for about 30 minutes -- without shame -- in front of my wife, in front of my dog (luckily my son was already in bed) because the Giants were 1.5 out of first and I thought the season was over.

(1-0 is my least favorite score)

And, then history, unlikely history, happened unexpectedly.

This season promises more of the same, and its the same team so they better effin' win!

Lineup Predictions

As I see it (w/ ideal season stats):

1. Torres CF (.280/12/60, 25 SB, 90 R, 2 Errors)
2. F. Sanchez 2B (.290/8/60, 80 R, 160 games, 6 errors)
3. Posey C (.295/20/90, 140 games)
4. Huff RF (.285/20/100)
5. Burell LF (.265/35/95, 550 AB, < 120 Ks)
6. Sandoval 3B (.310/25/90, 60 BB, 8 errors)
7. Tejada SS (.260/15/65, 12 errors)
8. Belt 1B (.285/15/70, 500 ABs)

Pitchers

Lincecum (19-8, 2.40, 250 K's and maybe a no-no)
Cain (18-9, 2.95, 180 K's, 250 IP)
J. Sanchez (14-8, 3.25, 200 K's, 200 IP)
Bumgarner (10-6, 3.55, 180 IP)
Zito (11-11, 4.00, 195 IP)

Brian Wilson (2-3, 40 Saves, 1.75 ERA, 1.10 WHIP)

[EDIT: actual opening day lineup Torres CF, Sanchez 2B, Huff RF, Posey C, Burrell LF, Tejada SS, Belt 1B, Sandoval 3B, Lincecum RHP]
(note, not all will be correct as injuries/trades happen)

Dodgers' Opening Day Lineup

From John Shea

Lincecum"s foes. Uribe sixth. RT @Dodgers Furcal 6, Gwynn, Jr. 7, Ethier 9, Kemp 8, Loney 3, Uribe 5, Barajas 2, Carroll 4, Kershaw 1