Giants Mount Second Comeback In 3 Games

It's only been one week into the 2010 season but the Giants squad are giving the faithful and even some of the perpetually cynical, reason to hope for a hunt for an orange and black October. Let's assume the pessimistic position that 88 wins in 2009 were a fluke. If they match or improve on that record again this year, few will be able to chalk it up to mere dumb luck.

There's justifiable reason to be hopeful for the Giants to reach the playoffs this year and once there, very good logic to be hopeful for them to keep advancing till... But let's not get ahead of ourselves and keep the focus on the season underway.

No more needs be said about the strength of the Giants' pitching staff especially Lincecum, Cain, Romo, Affeldt and Wilson. Runzler is a beast and Mota seems to be a good addition. Of course, one has to hope that Zito can keep his focus and continue to have strong outings. A couple mishaps can be pardoned until postseason play. I have yet to get a good look at Wellemeyer and how he fits in with the team, but his first outing gives a good case for optimism. Sanchez is still temperamental on the mound and will have his ups and downs, but once he gets it together—hopefully this year—he'll shut em down like Lincecum. He has to make his top priority getting out lesser-knowns in the box, rather than the sluggers in the on deck circle, whom he KOs on a consistent basis—one very entertaining exception being his duel against Chase Utley at AT&T Park in 2009. But while Giants pitching being a strength is a given, and the main reason they were in contention last year, it's what's going on in the batter's box that the Giants faithful can finally begin to raise their heads with a little pride.

First, there's the leadoff hitter that makes little sense in that spot, Aaron Rowand. Hey, if they keep winning with him there, leave him there. After all, the leadoff hitter is only guaranteed to leadoff once in a game. Of course, the other batters have no such guarantee, but I digress. There have been flashes of the very disappointing Rowand of '09 in some of his at-bats, but no doubt, he's improved his approach in the box and worked hard in the offseason, and it shows.

Second, Renteria, in just the fourth game of the season, made it possible for the Giants to accomplish what they did just once in 58 tries in 2009: come back and win a game when trailing after eight innings. He went 5-for-5 the previous night. It may behoove the cynics to take that fork out from ol' Edgar.

Third, Pablo looked a bit rusty/sloppy the first five games, but today he looked every bit the .330, 25 HR slugger of '09.

Fourth, the new guys Huff and De Rosa. Both are hitting in the low .200s at this early stage but have produced clutch hits in the first two series against Houston and Atlanta. Their approach at the plate suggests that these were not flukes.

Nos. 6, 7 and 8 are Big Money Bengie Molina, who's showing more patience at the plate, a much improved John Bowker and Juan Uribe. Uribe batting eighth? That's something the Yankees could stand behind. That the Giants can afford to do so is a loud and clear message to all competitors.

And we are still missing the very efficient former batting champ Freddie Sanchez in the lineup.

Finally, I think Eugenio Velez has a chance to be something special. He's worked on some of his egregious flaws in the off-season and spring, and still has room to improve, but he's lightning-fast, can hit with power and make defensive plays that are jaw-dropping. He's fun to watch and, like Sanchy on the mound, he still has to put it all together and he needs to square up that sacrifice bunt. He may not get enough playing time to do all that this year, but I hope he reaches that next level in orange and black.