Giants Send a F**king Message

Here in San Francisco, the ridicule showered over the local Major League Baseball team and their lack of a threatening offense is quite never-ending. On Thursday, ESPN's Jim Baker calculated the worst offensive teams in Major League History, noting that the 2008 Giants have a very good chance of joining them. "Imagine thinking that Bengie Molina would make a good clean-up hitter," he writes. "Imagine that, given the personnel available, it's probably the right decision." He continues...

Welcome to the world of the 2008 San Francisco Giants, a team that has seemingly amassed a collection of players who don't seem capable of mounting a viable offense this year. This statement is not just a reaction to the small sample size of the early going.. . . . And it's not like the team can point to mashers who are off to slow starts, a la David Ortiz, or who are idling on the disabled list; what we are seeing now is no mere April sleight of hand."

Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of this. One journalist writes it and the rest follow suit. The 2008 Giants will just have to live with it. And live with it they are. Following a 1-5 start, the Giants have since won two series and split another, with their only series defeat at the hands of the league's best team. In fact, while it is only April 20, the St. Louis Cardinals have already lost the season series to the Giants. If they're a game or two short in the standings come September, these losses will undoubtedly be looked at.

This team has its flaws - in fact, its got a few, but the 2008 Giants are not a team to sleep on. Every game, this team has the elements to beat you - as the Cardinals have so quickly learned these past two weeks.

After a Matt Cain defeat/blowout in game one, the Giants came back with a 3-0 shutout yesterday, thanks in part to Tim Lincecum's seven innings.

Today it was Jonathan Sanchez - a young lefty who shows so much promise even if he hasn't quite mastered all of his tools just yet. Sanchez threw five shutout innings, striking out the side in the first. The bullpen preserved the shutout until two runs came across against Vinnie Chulk in the ninth. By then, it was too late, as the Giants offense had already gone to work. Bengie "imagine him at cleanup" Molina drove home three runs with two doubles adding to his team lead in RBIs. Aaron Rowand added two of his own, while Ray Durham went 2-for-4 moving his average away from the Mendoza line.

John Bowker seems to be proving last weekend's heroics were no fluke. He added another home run in the third to tie Molina for the team lead.

So, don't expect the Giants to just roll over. With this talented young staff and a lineup packed with young energy, this team may not have all the resources to make the playoffs, but they can spoil your day.