Getting out of the schnide -- that's the order for this upcoming 10 game roadie on East Coast.
I would've been happy with a 6-4 roadie because I truly feel that the best a road team can usually do in a 4 gamer is 2-2 (not always the case, but usually).
But the Braves sweeping them at home threw a wrench into that stupid plan. 7-3 is the goal, and luckily, obtainable. But, New York and Pittsburgh, regardless of how good the teams are, are always dangerous places for the Boys in Black.
Today through Thursday is a 3 game series at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh's 10-12, 3-6 at home and on the low end of middle of the pack in hitting and pitching. Cain and Lincecum ought to win at least 1 between them, and Maddy is going against a pitcher with worse numbers than himself tomorrow. I thinkt he Giants should sweep, but I'lls ettle for 2 out of 3.
I'd like to see Huffy get going, especially against a bunko bullpen. I'd also like to see Romo get back out there tonight.
The weekend wrap around series is 4 @ the Nationals. The Nats have the same types of numbers as the Pirates (10-11record, but 5-4 @ home). Jason Marquis will be starting game 1 on fRiday (he's their best pitcher at 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA). Not sure who the Giants will be putting up to start on Saturday. Vogelsong, probably. And then Cainer and Maddy to close out the series.
All of DC's starting pitchers are hovering somewhere between 3.5-4.1 ERA. Looks like the hitting has been keeping the games close, but tilting against the Nats. The Giants boppers need to be able to put up a shit ton of power in Washington's little ass field. Burrell, Posey, Huffy, and Panda Bear will have to come in strong and pick the boys up. 3 out of 4 will officially break the slump.
Next week's Tuesday through Thursday is 3 games in New York, the bottom of the NL East. But, they've been won 4 in a row. Between now and then they'll be in DC and in Philly. Best case scenario: the Mets go .500 and have no momentum coming into the series. Worst case scenario: they sweep DC and Philly and are looking like Beasts of the East. It'll probably be a little more towards the former than the latter.
Timmy, Sanchie, and, New York's favorite Giant, Matt Cain will be the starters. 2 out of 3 is not only within the realm of possibility, it'll be a necessity. That'll close out this funky 22 out of 31 road game start, and get the Giants on the good side of .500.
Showing posts with label road trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label road trip. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Road Trip Preview
Now that the season has "officially" begun, and now that there will be very few occasions for pre-game ceremonies or Sammy Hagar-worthy National Anthems, we can look at the Giants first legitimate road trip.
In-division road trips are never anything to scoff at, even if one of the locations is Phoenix versus the hapless D-Backs.
Their first destination, Phoenix, will be a decent test for the back end of the ro-ro. Whilst we all have enormous confidence in Cainer, Z and Bummy have been less-than-adequate in their first two starts. And the Diamondbacks love to take all of nothing swings. Cut down on the location mistakes, give 6 and let your lively bullpen arms blow hard cheese past the yuckadoos from Zona, the Giants should still take 2 out of 3.
The Rockies are another story. Whereas the Dodgers came out of the gate looking to show everyone that they are actually a quality team, especially now that they're Manny-free; the Rockies have no need to prove their worth. With a best-in-MLB 10-2 start, a 6 game winning streak, and home field advantage on their side, the Rocks are laying claim to the NL West throne.
Even with their best pitcher out for a bit, their hitting has pretty much cashed them in versus all opponents. Tulo's got 7 dingers, this Herrerra kid's hitting .458 and the team has scored 68 runs in 12 games.
The only condolence is that their current 7-1 streak (6-0 in the last 6) comprises itself on 2 4-game series vs the Mets and the Pirates. But, all 8 games were on the road.
The Giants will send Timmy, Sanchie, and Cainer against the Colorados, so we'll be praying for 2 ou of 3, and I foresee Cain pitching the rubber match.
Offensively, the boys are waking up, and the trip to the hot air and the thin air ought to spark Belt. If he scuffles ont his trip, he's definitely headed back to AAA.
In-division road trips are never anything to scoff at, even if one of the locations is Phoenix versus the hapless D-Backs.
Their first destination, Phoenix, will be a decent test for the back end of the ro-ro. Whilst we all have enormous confidence in Cainer, Z and Bummy have been less-than-adequate in their first two starts. And the Diamondbacks love to take all of nothing swings. Cut down on the location mistakes, give 6 and let your lively bullpen arms blow hard cheese past the yuckadoos from Zona, the Giants should still take 2 out of 3.
The Rockies are another story. Whereas the Dodgers came out of the gate looking to show everyone that they are actually a quality team, especially now that they're Manny-free; the Rockies have no need to prove their worth. With a best-in-MLB 10-2 start, a 6 game winning streak, and home field advantage on their side, the Rocks are laying claim to the NL West throne.
Even with their best pitcher out for a bit, their hitting has pretty much cashed them in versus all opponents. Tulo's got 7 dingers, this Herrerra kid's hitting .458 and the team has scored 68 runs in 12 games.
The only condolence is that their current 7-1 streak (6-0 in the last 6) comprises itself on 2 4-game series vs the Mets and the Pirates. But, all 8 games were on the road.
The Giants will send Timmy, Sanchie, and Cainer against the Colorados, so we'll be praying for 2 ou of 3, and I foresee Cain pitching the rubber match.
Offensively, the boys are waking up, and the trip to the hot air and the thin air ought to spark Belt. If he scuffles ont his trip, he's definitely headed back to AAA.
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