Marty; The three most recent prescient articles written here were devoted to Bonds and the uncertainties inherent in predicting the future impact he has on the Giants’ fortunes. It is time to get beyond the Bonds situation and start talking baseball.

I took a look at what passed for prescience here, going back to words of wisdom passed along to unsuspecting readers as early as December. Much of the successful observations, to date, didn’t require a rocket scientist. Such cogent thoughts as “there remain uncertainties in the bullpen” or “Matt Cain has yet to prove himself” or that “Niekro will be given a chance to show he can hit both right and left-handed big league pitchers, (but) holding your breath would not be a good idea” may be repeated today, without much fear of contradiction.

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The Giants today have an undisputed hold on last place. Each of the four teams in front of them are possessed of a .500 record or better. Colorado, in first place and Arizona a 1/2 game behind them, have come up with a few talented young players, changing the posture of this division, which may not be as inept as was commonly predicted before the season’s start.

In early writing here, the Giants’ possibilities for a successful year was described as “intriguing”. Despite self-evident problems, that remains an apt description. Much of the “intrigue” resulted from one being more than favorably impressed by the admitted talents of their ancient players. Alou, Vizquel, Finley, (Bonds is not being considered here) may be fast approaching forty, but these have each been an outstanding performer for many years. If they remain healthy, it was expected that they would provide the nucleus of a team that could readily win the division. Nucleus is the operative word.

They need help, in the main, from the pitching. Feliz, an uncertainty at the start of the year, has given evidence recently that his discipline at the plate has vastly improved. He is laying off that low, outside, unhittable pitch that made him, with two strikes on him, an automatic out. He is fielding his position as well as any third baseman in the league.

Niekro has yet to show that he can hit at the major league level. Sabean will need to come to grips with this. It was of interest to watch Alou bat Niekro in front of Bonds the other night. This was a.200 hitter who had been flailing at the ball for weeks; not the hitter one would ordinarily see hitting third. Niekro looked more comfortable at the plate, hitting in front of Bonds, than he has looked at any time this year. Pitchers didn’t want to walk a .200 hitter in front of Barry. Niekro was getting good pitches to swing at, and began to hit line drives, one of which went over the fence. There may be hope for him yet, although it is unlikely he will continue hitting third once Alou and Durham return from the DL.

The “uncertainties in the bullpen” are no longer simply questionable. We have the answer; the worst ERA in the majors. Benitez has returned from the DL. He hasn’t had the opportunity to show whether he has returned capable of saving his anticipated 40 games. Worrell, in his earlier efforts, pitched well enough to save four or five games, although he wasn’t overpowering. After that early success he has looked like the pitcher who was throwing ineffectively for Philadelphia last year. He took over the set-up role on Benitez’ return but quickly lost that spot.

Kline has effectively taken over as the eighth inning pitcher. This leaves a gaping hole in the bullpen, since Kline is the only lefthander on the team. There are rumblings about bringing up Jonathan Sanchez, a 23 year old left hander. He is a 2004 27th rounder. His experience to date is in the low A leagues. It is difficult to see the wisdom in that. There are no Pujols in the Sally League.

Accordo is a work in progress. He has been throwing in the 95 to 97 mph range, with a slider and cutter among his other pitches. The Giants appear to be grooming him for a set-up role. He is not there yet. Munter has been having problems and Alou isn’t as taken with him as he has been in the past. If he returns to the form he displayed last year he is a pitcher who throws a very heavy ball and can get the needed double play. His return to that effectiveness is uncertain. Brian Wilson was brought up, pitched well in one game, sustained the same type injury to his back, in that game, that put Lowry on the DL for weeks. His future is unclear.

Fassero is gone,thankfully. They need a left hander, as well as at least two pitchers who can be relied on to get a few batters out when needed. The bullpen can rightfully be described, in the relatively few games played so far, as a disaster. Unless it is repaired there will be small joy in going out to the ballpark.

The rotation has had some encouraging moments. Schmidt has had two complete games in a row, games in which he was the dominating pitcher he was a few years ago. Lowry recently came off the DL, pitched into the 7th inning successfully. He looked much like the pitcher who won the best pitcher of the month award last season. Wright who was signed during the off-season, projected as the fifth starter in the rotation, has filled that role more than adequately.

This leaves Morris and Cain. Morris insists that he is healthy, that he will come around, and appreciates the patience the club and fans have shown him. More than such appreciation must be shown. He has a long-term multi-year contract for many millions. He’s programmed as the number two pitcher on the staff. It’s past time to live up to that projection.

Matt Cain can consistently throw 96 mph. He throws a curve that, when spotted accurately, gets batters out. He could use an effective change-up and slider. This is a young pitcher with tremendous potential. Alou says that they are sticking with him. Cain gave evidence, in his brief appearances last year, that he could win. There were many moments, during his largely unsuccessful appearances this year, when he was overpowering. Cain represents the future. At the moment they intend,properly, to continue giving him the ball.

This team can win—if they have decent pitching. It’s a big “if”. They have needed starters going well into the 7th inning in order to prevail. They can’t count on that in this day and age. They need pitchers for the 6th and 7th innings as well as a set-up man who can get the job done. Kline has done well in the eighth up to now, but the need for a left hander to come into the game earlier is urgent. Kline was the intended one. That should remain his role. One way or the other, Sabean must find a left-handed candidate.

It would be shameful not to allow Vizquel, Finley and Moisses Alou the chance to once again demonstrate, in meaningful post-season games, their still abundant talents.

Ed