Why can’t the Giants do it on the road?
Doug Upstone
You’ll have to forgive the San Francisco if they are feeling a little giddy at the moment. This team came into the 2009 season looking to rid itself of an overbearing shadow (Barry Bonds) and build a new foundation based on pitching and fielding with younger players. Everything has essentially gone according to plan except for one element, the Giants are tied for the wild card lead after winning three of four at home against the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, who have the best road in baseball.
San Francisco has the best home record in the game at 37-16 (+20.4 units). Unless the Giants are going win there remaining 28 games at AT&T Park, they are going to have to pick up the pace on the road.
The Giants travel to Houston (52-53, +1.3 units) for a three game set and they are 21-31 (-6.8 units) wearing the road uniforms. Most team’s offense will sag on the road, which is particularly dangerous for manager Bruce Bochy’s club, since they only score 3.9 runs per game to start. As visitors, the Giants are last in the National League (29th in baseball) in runs scored at 3.4 per game.
Brian Sabean is the San Francisco general manager, who tried to milk the Bond’s era for every late drop and not enough every day ball players have come up through the Giants system that are productive. The farm system hasn’t been completely barren, with hitting-machine Pablo Sandoval and Nate Schierholtz having very good breakout seasons.
Though AT&T Park is believed to be pitcher’s park, it’s the Giants pitchers and extensive center field area that lends itself to that belief. Balls hit straight away to right or left field and towards the lines, travel the same as anywhere else. If anything, San Francisco should score more runs, not less on the road.
The conundrum is more varied and is brought out in other numbers. Giants’ hitters are next to last in the Major Leagues in extra base hits and home runs on the road. They are far from a patient group in visiting uniforms, averaging only two walks per game (30th) and have little speed, with a manger not inclined towards the running game, ranked 12th in stolen bases in the senior circuit.
What the Giants do have is pitching and lots of hit. Led by Tim Lincecum, San Francisco can mow down opposing batters. They lead the NL in ERA, complete games (9) and shutouts (15). There infielders don’t receive as much action as other teams, however they get plenty of practice throwing the ball around the infield, since Giants hurlers strikeout the most batters.
One big turnaround pitcher has been Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA). After years of being a play against pitcher because he always had that one bad inning, Cain has been brilliant, and is coming off nine shutouts innings against Pittsburgh last Wednesday. The Giants have won 16 of his 21 starts in 2009.
BetUS.com has made the Giants a -140 money line road favorite and Cain and company are 11-1 as a favorite of -110 or higher this season. They will face Mike Hampton (6-8, 5.36) and the Astros in series lid-lifter. Hampton has been rocked in last three starts with ERA of almost 10. Though San Fran is 17-11 against left-hand starters, Hampton has given them trouble during his career. The veteran lefty has owned certain teams like Pittsburgh, whom he’s picked up half his wins against this season, with the Giants not to far behind. He’s 15-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 23 career starts vs San Francisco and Houston heats up like the Texas weather in August, with 22-10 record the last couple of seasons.
This contest is an 8:05 Eastern start at Minute Maid Park and will be available for viewing in local markets. One last thing to worry about the Giants, they are 1-6 in last seven visits to Houston.