SF Giants News and Notes

Just my thoughts on the San Francisco Giants.  I'm curious to see what you all think.

• Giants continue their homestand this week as they play four games with the Astros and three with the White Sox.

• It is Asian Heritage Week at the ballpark all week but there is only one Asian on the roster. Maybe the promotion would work better if they had more Asian players on the team like Kosuke Fukudome.

• OF Fred Lewis has been striking out at an alarming rate for a leadoff hitter. If Bruce Bochy was smart, he would bat Randy Winn at leadoff instead of Lewis.

• Eugenio Velez has also struggled of late. He is only batting .216 now. Giants announcer Mike Krukow insists that Velez has a lot of power but I have not seen any of his so-called power all year. Krukow also said that Zito would have a great 2008 season. Velez has no home runs. He seems to be nothing more than a utility player in the big leagues.

• Teams have also adjusted well to John Bowker. He needs to make his own adjustments or he will be sent to Triple A Fresno soon. Pitchers are throwing him nothing but offspeed pitches lately.

• SS Omar Vizquel brings a veteran presence and superb defense to the Giants. He will help out and is a vast improvement over Brian Bocock.

• The Giants have a solid bullpen. Merkin Valdez and Tyler Walker have been very impressive.

• Barry Zito will start tonight against the Astros. He will be going for his first win of the year. It will not be easy as he has to face the hot Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, and Carlos Lee.