The Giants, Another Sad Story?

Let me begin by saying that there is no one more optimistic than me when it comes to my sports teams. Unfortunatly, I also tend to be wrong. The 49ers have long confused me and elluded me. The Sharks? Well... we all know how that story ends (not well). UCLA athletics? Usually do well, but basketball has faltered on the biggest stage and football is on the rebound. So it all comes down to none other than the Giants. Before the season began I believed we had some hope of challenging for the wild card despite not having anyone who was big, cuddly, and adorable (pablo and bengie) who could hit. To make matters worse, the latter has not hit for a good average, and loves hitting into double plays. For whatever reason, we had a lead in the wild card at the break. That was before Zito realized he use to be good and started pitching like his old A's self; until today. Today's loss put the Giants 4 games back of the Rockies.

The pesky and ridiculously annoying Rockies are probably the luckiest franchise in last three years (remember the play-in game in 2007?), and seem to win games for no good reason (i.e a Brandon Phillips error tonight). That being said, a win is a win. They have now opened a commanding lead and will surely enjoy as the only real West Coast rivals (sorry A's/Angels) take on eachother by the Bay this weekend. Who do the Rox get? The Pads. To make matters worse, these rockies are led by a man who once donned a Dodger uniform. Worst of all, the Giants have a bullpen that has been so crappy that it makes a Brian Wilson 9th inning seem like baseball heaven. Remember all the blown leads a few weeks ago at Coors field? Or how about the one I witnessed in person last night? It has been as pretty as Caster Meneya is feminine.

The Giants have six games against the Dodgers, a series with the Rox, and some games against the Cubs/DBacks, which are not to be looked past. The Rox have the Giants/Cards/Dodgers to face in 9 games and then the DBacks/Pads/Brewers, and half are at the overly friendly confines of Coors Field. It does not look too good for Bochy's bunch. However, I feel like things are wide open, and once the series at AT&T is done with against then Rox, nothing definitive can be said. Perhaps we will feel the joys and elations we all felt as the Giants won the 2002 pennant. Worst case? Feeling like we did after the travesty of games 6/7 in some town where Disneyland is located.