Giants-Diamondbacks: San Francisco Looks to Take Baked Zito off the Menu

Barry Zito’s career in San Francisco has been anything but successful (or call it bizarre if you read Nathaniel Stoltz’s article.) In his first season as a Giant, he got off to a rocky start before getting into a decent rhythm, but even after pitching well for a while, the consistency was never there. Baseball experts said that a different league, different atmosphere, a new team, and the will to want to over achieve with a new, big contract were the catalysts for this. But what is the excuse this season? After an entire season of sub par pitching and now four losing starts in 2008, people are saying that the signing has been a complete bust. If he doesn’t turn things around soon, and for good, I will have no choice but to agree with those people.

Don’t get me wrong, the losing decisions haven’t been all his fault. This season the Giants’ offense hasn’t mustered up much run support. The Giants this season have scored a minuscule 3 total runs in his four starts this season. When you combine that with his pitching stats, the chances of winning are not good. In 22 innings pitched this season, Zito (0-4) has allowed 28 hits, 11 earned runs, with an E.R.A of 4.50. If there is a bright side to this, his gastronomical walk totals from last season have appeared to be decreasing.

Now lays the task ahead for the Big-Z. Tonight, the Giants will cap off a two game series with N.L West front runners, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and their ace Brandon Webb (4-0). If there is one thing that is in the Giants’ favor tonight, it’s the Law of Averages as Zito is due to win a game sooner or later. A win tonight could do wonders for both Zito’s and the Giants’ pitching staff’s confidence. Hopefully, with good offensive support, the Baked Zito will be taken off the menu, and the greasy stadium dogs will more appropriately feasted upon be the mighty D-backs…

Food for Thought: The last time Barry Zito started off a season 0-4, he winded up finishing the season with a respectable 14-13 record. Also keep in mind the success of the Giants; if Zito were just 2-2, the team would have a .500 record of 10-10 instead of 8-12.