Watch Out -- The Dodgers are Coming
A glimpse at the Giant's division rivals always begins with the Dodgers.
By Neale Fenn.
Two months ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to San Francisco. In the twinkle of an eye, they left town in celebration of not only a series sweep, but also an eight game lead over their arch enemies. All the plaudits went out to Jim Tracy's men, with their Bradley-energized offense and Gagne-clad pitching staff.
What a difference a month makes. By the middle of May it was clearer that the Dodgers, starting with Dave Roberts vs. Juan Pierre, were no Marlins in the making. Juan Encarnacion, sadly, is not the RBI machine the Dodgers hoped he would be. There's more wrong with Shawn Green than his back. Bradley, while clearly not lacking in ability, is an 0-20 in waiting. All in all, the front office don't think much of the lineup -- and have said so behind closed doors.
This is, after all, an offense that ranks second in the National League in Batting Average, yet second last in runs scored. The team is slugging .412, 12th in the league. Alex Cora is suddenly leading the line in the Players to Watch columns. Alex Cora?
Then there's the starting rotation that features the likes of Hideo Nomo (7.56 ERA), Jose Lima, and Jeff "ease the pressure" Weaver. As if LA fans have much to hope for. This team is chock-a-block full of holes. And when eventually Eric Gagne blows a save -- presumably some time in 2012 -- there'll be trouble brewing, even in the 'pen.
In the end, of course, these boys can play well enough to win the division. And, dare I say it, they probably will. Although there's no shortage of mediocrity in Los Angeles, there's as much room for improvement here as in either San Diego or Francisco. And if it comes down to (as it usually does) the preservation of leads, then it's a simple equation: Gagne, Hoffman or Herges.
Game Over.
Options in the Infield
Once you get past the idea that Cody Ransom will never be a major leaguer, the Giant's infield has surprising depth. Unlike their division rivals, San Francisco have, at each position, players who can either hit or field. That may be something of a truism, but it's also something of a relief. For this team may not have any virtuoso double-play tandem, nor any bonafide gold-glovers (J.T.Snow doesn't hit well enough to earn one), there is that unmistakable blend of youth, experience, pop and glovework, making the entourage competitive, if not championship caliber.
Behind the plate, Yorvit Torrealba has nothing to prove other than that he can hit above .250. Defensively, he's twice the catcher A.J.Pierzynski is. A.J., on the other hand--whose real name no one seems to know--is no slouch with the glove, unless someone has a stolen base in mind. At 16%, he throws out the fewest runners in the Majors. Up the middle, Neifi Perez has at last been removed from the starting lineup, coinciding, uncoincidentally, with the team's offensive upturn.
But the real difference maker for the Giants is a healthy Ray Durham. He is to San Francisco as oil is to an engine (see Jeff Kent). With Durham in the lineup this year, the team is 25-11. The inclusion of his bat makes the job of Michael Tucker and Evergreen Grissom that much easier. Instead of finding ways to get on base (a difficult task for Marquis, who hits well but seldom walks), these two can hope instead to see many more juicy fastballs over the next three months. And, so long as Edgardo Alfonzo's children continue to read him bed-time stories, and so long as Pedro Feliz concentrates on the whereabouts of the strike zone, not his children, the Giants will continue to score runs. That's great news for the regular season, against pitching that makes the mistakes the Giants have become so expert at punishing.
For its part, the outfield has performed slightly better than expected. Defensively, the team has not suffered the loss of Jose Cruz Jr., with Tucker guarding right field with aplomb. Dustan Mohr has spelled in both left and right, earning the respect of fans and team-mates alike with his knack of making gutsy grabs and slamming into walls.
In the meantime the ballclub has defied expectations, and regained the respect of the baseball community beyond the confines of the Fox Sports Net commentary booth. The areas of concern, as per usual, remain much the same: The starting rotation is more a revolving one-man show than a dependable quintet, quartet, or even a trio; the bullpen is as weak as it is white; the defense is shaky, but sturdy by yesterday's comparisons. The Giants have made 15 errors in their last 30 games, less than half as many as in their first 30 (31).
As the pitching staff aptly illustrates, Felipe Alou is seldom used to having options. So it must come as a welcome surprise that the infield--just four weeks ago comprised of Damon Minor, Neifi Perez, Ransom and Brian "Dilly" Dallimore--has evolved into a coherent, combatative unit. Durham notwithstanding (pun intended: Don't hold your breath on that hamstring), San Francisco has gotten the most out of guys like Deivi Cruz, a refreshing surprise--and a doubles machine--at shortstop. Neifi Perez's glove, on the the other hand, always looks better when it comes flashing off the bench, not coupled with another 0-4 line. At first, Snow, Feliz and Minor present a multitude of possibilities, if not worthy occupants for the spot. Ditto third base, with Alfonzo playing at last like his $6.5m salary and Feliz, who's clearly most comfortable defensively when he's guarding the hot corner.
It is often said that it's better to be lucky than good. If recent results are anything to go by, the Giants could have the best of both worlds. For now at least, they find themselves in the driving seat in the NL West. If, as is expected, the outlook is unclear, we can at least be sure of one thing: Brian Sabean is glad he didn't trade for Richie Sexson in the off-season.
