Friday, September 03, 2004

 

Deep Schmidt

I've really been trying be optimistic about the Giants. Then I watch them play, and I lose it.

Jason Schmidt showed last night that his groin problem is bothering him more than he's letting on. In Henry Schulman's article in the S.F. Chronicle today, he says:

"Physically, I don't feel bad," he said. "Mentally, it's just a subconscious thing. I'm not getting out in front. I'm holding back, maybe afraid to test it. Sooner or later, I've just got to let it go."

That's pretty much the way I'm feeling about the Giants chances this morning. I've just got to let it go.

Why the depression this morning? Well, the writing is on the wall. Heck, it's on the floor, the ceiling, and it shows up as spam in my inbox several times a day. The signs are all there. Signs of Doom.

Schmidt has lost his stuff after the groin pull. He might get it back next start, but the two games he's started and lost are the difference in this race.

Ray Durham has been falling apart defensively, and last night he suffered a thumb sprain that isn't going to help at all.

The Giants don't know when to steal and when not to steal. Stealing a bag with Barry Freaking Bonds at the plate? What the hell is up with that? I think Barry took the called third strike there because he was stunned that Pedro was running.

The Giants don't know where to throw the ball. Alfonzo and Schmidt both had horrible throws to first that skipped under Feliz's glove and bounded down the right field line. Would J.T. Snow have picked those balls out of the dirt? Maybe. But that wouldn't help Durham's double-clutches or Matt Herges' inability to look home after a bases-loaded bunt.

Flat out, many of these Giants don't play smart baseball. They make up for it with a ton of Barry Bonds, Jason Schmidt, and hot streaks from guys like Snow, Grissom, and Tucker. They might luck their way into the playoffs if the Cubs and Padres continue to flounder. But it's not going to be pretty.

On the bright side, I'd like to wish Dave Burba a hearty "welcome back!" Acquired yesterday from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for some guy I've never heard of, Burba instantly becomes one of the team's best relievers:

Burba: 4.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5.99 K/9
Brower: 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 6.15 K/9
Christiansen: 3.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 5.51 K/9
Walker: 4.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 6.71 K/9
Herges: 5.17 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 5.31 K/9
Franklin: 6.16 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 7.25 K/9

Okay, still not terrific, but he should displace Herges as the right-handed middle inning guy. He should also give Brower more time off in the later innings. Burba won't be eligible for the postseason, but at this rate, nobody else on the roster will be either.

Jefferson 7:58 AM

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