Dear Readers...

Dear Readers...Sorry for the absence, but getting married, doing the honeymoon thing and coming back to the real world has left me little time to write.  But I am back and you will see regular posts again.  I promise.  Unless something unusual happens, I will be doing a series update, rather than a game-by-game update...Giants had a 7 home game mini-series with the Cubs, (4) and the HATED LOS ANGELES DODGERS (3)...Their record was 3-4, splitting with the Cubs, while the Dodgers took two of the three.  It's tougher as a Giants fans to have them lose to the HATED LOS ANGELES DODGERS, largely because it is your main rival and there are so many smug Dodger fans in attendance...The Boos and chants regularly erupt around AT&T Park.  BEAT LA is the most popular and the most they can come up with is GIANTS SUCK...As a long time Giants fan, I don't even use that word in public, nor would I ever wear a shirt that says: "Duck the Fodgers!"  It's just crude.  San Francisco is a metropolitan city and we should know better.  Must be the people from the suburbs and San Jose...The Giants have two modes this year:  Really good or really bad, there is no in between with them.  They have a horrible home record, despite standing in 5th place in hitting in he league.  The team ERA stands at around 4.30, not too bad for a team that the 'experts' predicted would lose 100 games.   the worst home record in baseball, but never seem to slip below 11 games under .500...Aaron Rowand and Tim Lincecum were selected BY THE PLAYERS to the All Star team, to be played Tuesday July 15th in Yankee Stadium.  (Imagine what that land will bring on the open market, as if New York City needs another parking lot...)Here is what needs to happen: A shift in the rotation: Move Tim Lincecum, the Franchise up to #1, followed by Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez and Kevin Correria.  Giants were one of the few teams last year that did not start over again after the break...Ray Durham is on the block, but his $8 million salary will chase a lot of people away.  Travis Denker can hit and play a decent 2nd sack.  Randy Winn has a limited no-trade clause in his contract, so I doubt if he will be sent packing...Jose Castillo is not the long term answer at thrid, but he could be there next year.  The Giants right now are working from the disadvantage.  General Manager Brian Sabean still thinks they could pull it out.  Boy, is he and optomist...Arizona or the Dodgers will take the division, with the Wild Card coming from the Central Division, whichever team does not win the division...I read the standings weekly, and no one is running away with things.  There is good parity in all the divisions, the NL West being the weakest...Angels are up just 5 games on Oakland and this is the time of the year when the A's really start to make their moves.   They have some great young talent...So here's to a good second half...Good readin and good rootin!  July 7th, 2008